The latest trend for tech interviews: Days of unpaid homework

As part of an interview I did recently I was asked to build a web app that mimicked a part of their service and deploy it somewhere for them to view. I probably spent about 15-20 hours on it in total and I believe I did more than what the brief asked for only to be told I did not get the job with no explanation, even after I asked if they had any feedback.

I thing is I don't think anybody even looked at what I made because to view everything in the app required the user to login (part of their brief) but no new users showed up on the site at any point. Pretty frustrating experience overall.

Re: The latest trend for tech interviews: Days of unpaid homework

#6

Post by jpttsn » Thu, Apr 19, 2018, 7:52 AM UTC

DataWorker wrote: post #2

I think the tech interview process is an area ripe for workers’ rights legislation.

Might make it more expensive to hire, favoring insiders who are employed at the expense of outsiders. Also makes it harder to switch jobs if you’re unhappy/deserve better.

Re: The latest trend for tech interviews: Days of unpaid homework

#7

Post by jt2190 » Thu, Apr 19, 2018, 7:59 AM UTC

Focusing on the “what to do instead”... There's an interesting suggestion at the end:

> Holiday’s company [CallRail, Atlanta, GA] now uses a structured “live-coding interview” format that involves reviewing code together and talking about it. The process typically takes between 30 minutes to an hour.

I wish there were more details, like whose hands are on the keyboard, or whether the interviewer has a rubric to structure their evaluation.

Re: The latest trend for tech interviews: Days of unpaid homework

#8

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Apr 19, 2018, 8:01 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: The latest trend for tech interviews: Days of unpaid homework

#9

Post by fxj » Thu, Apr 19, 2018, 8:04 AM UTC

Are there any web sites where you can read what each of the companies do for their recruiting process? At least you would know what to expect...

Re: The latest trend for tech interviews: Days of unpaid homework

#10

Post by amorphid » Thu, Apr 19, 2018, 8:05 AM UTC

jpttsn wrote: post #6

DataWorker wrote: post #2

I think the tech interview process is an area ripe for workers’ rights legislation.

Might make it more expensive to hire, favoring insiders who are employed at the expense of outsiders. Also makes it harder to switch jobs if you’re unhappy/deserve better.

I'd wager that insiders are given preferential treatment in most companies anyway.