Your simple project with 48hour turn-around is exactly how i find the junior developers for my teams lately. I work on the projects i hire for and i need candidates that can hit the ground running.
After a 15-30min video screening, i present the mini project, normally a subset of an application we currently work on. This way i also dont have to go ahead and solve it since it has already been done and reviewed by the team. Then, when the candidate comes back 48hours later, the team can see how the candidate (hopefully) solved it, we will have them run through their solution and then throw a new quick challenge that builds on it so we can see them live code. This whole process has been the most efficient not only for me to understand if they'll be a good fit technically, but also how they talk through problems and bounce ideas. Communication is key in a software team. Even when a candidate doesn't do as great, they walk away knowing what they have to work on IF this is the type of job they want to pursue. I've even had some people tell me after the project is sent that "this isn't the type of work they're best at or what they're looking for" so it saves us both time in the end.
That’s an interview process that I would love to work through. Yeah, it’s work on free time. However, coding doesn’t cost anything except time. As a developer I like new challenges and working through new ideas. Doing challenges like this also keep my skill sets sharp I don’t see it as free work.
As well, no one knows the code base better than the person who coded it. You know why you did certain things. You know how the arrays and functions connect. You’re looking at a solved challenge. Now, when you ask me a question about why I chose a certain method. I know the answer.
I love the idea of live coding on that same project I worked on. I know where everything is. It’s great that you present it as a team communication challenge.
Thank you for being a good interview process.
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Your simple project with 48hour turn-around is exactly how i find the junior developers for my teams lately. I work on the projects i hire for and i need candidates that can hit the ground running.
After a 15-30min video screening, i present the mini project, normally a subset of an application we currently work on. This way i also dont have to go ahead and solve it since it has already been done and reviewed by the team. Then, when the candidate comes back 48hours later, the team can see how the candidate (hopefully) solved it, we will have them run through their solution and then throw a new quick challenge that builds on it so we can see them live code. This whole process has been the most efficient not only for me to understand if they'll be a good fit technically, but also how they talk through problems and bounce ideas. Communication is key in a software team. Even when a candidate doesn't do as great, they walk away knowing what they have to work on IF this is the type of job they want to pursue. I've even had some people tell me after the project is sent that "this isn't the type of work they're best at or what they're looking for" so it saves us both time in the end.
That’s an interview process that I would love to work through. Yeah, it’s work on free time. However, coding doesn’t cost anything except time. As a developer I like new challenges and working through new ideas. Doing challenges like this also keep my skill sets sharp I don’t see it as free work.
As well, no one knows the code base better than the person who coded it. You know why you did certain things. You know how the arrays and functions connect. You’re looking at a solved challenge. Now, when you ask me a question about why I chose a certain method. I know the answer.
I love the idea of live coding on that same project I worked on. I know where everything is. It’s great that you present it as a team communication challenge.
Thank you for being a good interview process.