[scaryclam]

Sorry, but this isn't true. We take a lot of time going over a candidates test. The point of the take home is so that we can get a feel for the candidates level of coding competence, ability to commit to a deadline, ability to read and follow instructions and it also helps to generate questions for an on-site interview. Not bothering to read the test through properly would be a waste of our own time, as we'd not achieve any of those things.

So please, stop making assumptions about companies and take home tests. Unless you've worked for that company in a hiring capacity you have no idea what their process and motivations are.

[0x445442]

What I'm curious about is what this industry thinks makes it unique with respect to practically every other industry with respect to interviewing. Almost every other field actually calls on references and relies on reputation to determine past work performance.

Also, I've conducted a number of interviews in my career and have been responsible for a number of hires and I've never needed to rely on a take home project to access a candidates worthiness of the position. Maybe it's because I was interviewing/hiring for positions which I was intimately familiar of the required tasks and I knew the right questions to ask.

[topkai22]

I believe that you put a ton of time into your test, both creating it and reviewing it.

However, as a candidate I have to make assumptions on where to put my time, and if there is a take home test prior to an interview I’m likely to pass- while you are a super diligent company that carefully reviews all the responses to the screener, I’ve definitely seen those that aren’t, including companies kept taking screeners answers despite having no positions actually open.

There is an straight forward answer to this though- don’t send the take home work till after the candidate does the interview loop, or at least has a good conversation with the hiring manager. At that point hiring org has demonstrated a clear interest in the candidate and has put up “earnest money” to prove it. The candidate also knows if the position is something they are interested in. I’ve done enough hiring in the past to be confident that the interviews are more predictive of long term success anyways.