[davimack]

After having been asked this several times, I've begun to make it clear that I will only engage in these tests if I'm compensated for the time. It's a delicate thing to do, really, telling someone that, no, you're not going to work for free, just on the hope that you might get a job.

But it doesn't only happen in this industry: my niece is a graphic designer & has been asked to provide samples of her work on projects ... to the interviewer's specification. She's done it, because she really needed the work, but felt terribly taken advantage of, and I'd agree: it's predatory.

I have the luxury of telling people that, no, I won't take their 1) IQ test, 2) Personality Test, or 3) their Coding Challenges. Not everybody does, certainly.

The appropriate thing to do is to either state up front that you'd need to be compensated for your time, or acknowledge that you're giving away work as a way to possibly get in the door & just write the best solution you can write - not leaving it incomplete, necessarily, either, as that is a sort-of halfway position that makes you look bad.

[at-fates-hands]

>>> I have the luxury of telling people that, no, I won't take their 1) IQ test, 2) Personality Test, or 3) their Coding Challenges. Not everybody does, certainly.

I agree with this 100% and do the same thing.

If you need something that measures my ability, then go to my github page and go over the copious amounts of projects I have there and determine if my skill level is what you need for your company.

I had one interview where I had sent over a link to my github page. As soon as I sat down, I was given a large packet (it was about 20 pages) and asked to look at the code and figure out the bugs. Most of these were in Java and .Net. I reiterated I didn't work with either language and they told me to "just look at the examples and give it a try." I asked them if they had looked at my github page and reminded them I'm a front end developer. After they said, "Uhhh no, we didn't look at your examples." I stood up and told them, "Thank you gentlemen, but this interview is over. Thanks for wasting my time." and walked out.

I've also turned down "code challenges" that would eat up a week or so of my time. I've got a myriad of recruiters calling me for gigs, why would I waste a week working for free on your "code challenge"? I guess I'm at a point in my career where my work can speak for itself. I don't need to jump through a bunch of hoops to prove my abilities anymore.

[kaybe]

Hm.. how about some kind of three-way cooperation, where you get non-profits and charities to give specifications for work they need done, which can then be used for interview samples for actual industry jobs.

The candidate can demonstrate their work and be assured that neither does the company extort free labour from them nor is the work they do for the bin, whereas the companies can see how they behave in real-world environments.

[giaour]

That sounds amazing. I would love to contribute to such a project (or be interviewed using one).

(Actually, would you mind if I stole this idea?)

[kaybe]

Feel free! (let me know if you ever build something, maybe) :)

[Ellahn]

Did anybody start on this or plan to soon? If not, I'll start it and make it open source. It's a killer idea. :D

[giaour]

Not yet; I'm travelling at the moment but should have time this weekend. My email is jonathan AT jeskew DOT net if you'd be interested in collaborating.

[dllthomas]

I had a similar idea a while back... I would also be thrilled if you stole it :)

[cryoshon]

Tell numbers 1-3 to Google and you'll find the door.

Principles and self respect have real costs. The milieu right now is a race to the bottom, and refusing to be a part of it might get you left behind.

This is further evidence of the need for unions to make a comeback.

[Frondo]

But wait...you're saying...if I don't race to the bottom, I might not end up there along with everyone else? :)

[cryoshon]

Pretty much, but you get to maintain your self-respect.

Self respect can't feed you, but it's not so bad.

[OpenDrapery]

Curious. What is your objection to the personality tests? I took one for a new job once, and I felt uneasy about it, but can't really articulate why.

[RogerL]

I don't know what one you took, but the one I was told to take (and vociferously declined) was somebody's unscientific hack of the MMBI. You know, the test that tests for mental illness. No one's business. Sorry, you don't get to know how many friends I have (a question), if I have nagging doubts (a question), and so on. It doesn't matter if those are problem spots for me or not, it is the principle.

Also, that HR person is not a trained doctor. They have no business administering any kind of test of this type, and certainly have no business trying to interpret the results. It is just woo nonsense. Might as well try to do handwriting analysis, or read my tea leaves.

You are not allowed (in the states) to ask interview questions about health. Yet, somehow, the courts have found these 'personality' tests legal. I don't understand, but I will not participate. I don't take drugs, but I won't take a pee test either.*

* these results might vary depending on how close I am to foreclosure and how low my saving are. Principles are costly.

[alphanumeric0]

Completeness is subjective here, but I understand where you're coming from.