[crankylinuxuser]

I applied to one position here on a HN job thread a bit back. Looked right up my alley. Doing IoT, 3d modeling, circuit design, and glue code. So, I did the initial phone screen. Then they gave me the 'zinger': we want you to make a webapp for us. We expect this will take 8-12 hours (?!).

I responded back, that's billable time there. That would require me to take PTO at my current job, and do your work unpaid. And that, I will not do.

I kindly told them where they could put their job. (They still advertise jobs on the monthly, but they seem legit aside that onerous 1.5 days of work. And no, I won't mention whom. Hopefully they'll rethink their policies, but alas..)

[ryandrake]

On behalf of many, many people: Thank you! An 8-12 hour unpaid work assignment is an entirely unreasonable request.

[crankylinuxuser]

Sure thing!

Yeah, I did ask around in their area with fellow engineer-y types. They are a legit company, and the webapp wasn't a way to get free work. Think of it as a standards approach, rather than bulletpoint resumes that verge on untruth.

To be honest, I'd prefer they have a sit-down with me. They can do their fizzbuzz or linked list test, but I want to get a feel of the problems they're fighting with. I've always liked deep technical discussions, and how I would do it vs how they would/did it. It's a bit more subjective, but I would think that discussing technical aspects and asking how I (interviewee) would do it.

I offered an IoT project Ive developed myself in lieu of it, so they could comment on my code quality. They declined that, and wanted their webapp.

They're missing out :) Although I've an interview with GitLab coming up. Everything I've seen how they operate and treat their people is just awesome. Regardless if I'm a good fit for the position they're offering, I still think highly of them. :)