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>>while homework problems can be better than in-person interviews, they can also be a lot worse. for one, because they are NOT time-bound. Um, this is a good t
by enraged_camel 10y ago
>>while homework problems can be better than in-person interviews, they can also be a lot worse. for one, because they are NOT time-bound.
Um, this is a good thing, not a bad thing. Research shows that stress significantly reduces cognitive ability, and time pressure definitely adds to stress - sometimes substantially. What this means is that when you ask whiteboard coding questions during the interview, you're not measuring the candidate's on-the-job ability. You're simply measuring how well they perform under severe pressure. If that's fine with you, as in it's representative of your work environment where people have to churn out code around the clock, fine. Otherwise, homework questions are much better.
- rguzman 10y agoi agree with all that -- again, the i don't think that whiteboard interviews are perfect. but also, keep in mind that the candidate has a limited amount of time, and often a full-time job on top of the job hunt. the homework questions are only good if the candidate has time and desire to them.
- enraged_camel 10y agoSo then wouldn't it make the most sense to let the candidate choose?
- thaumasiotes 10y agoThat makes it difficult to compare candidates to each other.
- prodigal_erik 10y agoWhy do that? If your screening test says they're both qualified, interview them both. Hire them both if you possibly can.
- thaumasiotes 10y agoYou don't have one "your screening test" in that scenario, you have two.
- freyr 10y ago> time pressure definitely adds to stress Also the stress of someone standing over your shoulder watching you work. At work, I enjoy hashing out problems with a coworkers at a whiteboard, but in an interview it's paralyzing to have someone watching me. As a student, I'd totally freeze up in the middle of a test whenever a teacher started walking down my aisle.
- prodigal_erik 10y agoWhat happens when your production system blows up at 3 AM? Does your team have a list of who can and can't be expected to assist?