Ask HN: Would you pass an interview for your current position?

Re:Ask HN: Would you pass an interview for your current posi... by actually_a_dog on Thursday January 06, 2022 @12:49PM (#29826935)

Here's the thing: take home assignments typically come near the beginning of an interview process, even before one progresses to an on-site (or equivalent). Understandably, very few companies give a take home in place of the entire on-site. But, a take home generally doesn't get you out of any part of the 4-6 hour dog and pony show. Which would you rather do: 30 minute recruiter chat + 60 minute technical phone screen with a human + 4-6 hour on-site, or the same process with a "1 hour" take home that actually ends up taking 4 hours in place of the technical phone screen?

Incidentally, I have the same criticism of TripleByte. Sure, they get you on-site with companies faster, but their process takes a significant number of hours (essentially equivalent to its own on-site), and it doesn't get you out of any part of the prospective employer's on-site.

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Re:Ask HN: Would you pass an interview for your current posi... by MattGaiser on Thursday January 06, 2022 @05:35PM (#29831462)

This too. I have been ghosted on way too many take home assignments.

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Re:Ask HN: Would you pass an interview for your current posi... by mattm on Friday January 07, 2022 @11:52AM (#29841435)

Same here. I did a take home that took 6 hours. Sent it in and then a few minutes later received a rejection. I'll never do that again. I now reject any take homes that will take more than 90 minutes. That's by my estimation - not the company's - I've seen many companies way underestimate the time it should take which is a sign that they've never had their own employees try it.

Take homes are bad because the time investment is asymmetrical. A company can just say to everyone who applies to do the take home test because there's really no investment on their part. At least with an interview, you know the company is investing an equal amount of time into the process.

Triplebyte used to be helpful because it did allow you to skip the initial phone screen but that doesn't seem to be the case much anymore.

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