Yep, pretty much this. If the interviewer didn't think a person who had side projects was waiting in line behind you for the next interview slot, they wouldn't

Yep, pretty much this. If the interviewer didn't think a person who had side projects was waiting in line behind you for the next interview slot, they wouldn't have passed. I tend to be skeptical of most forms of software engineering interview tactics, but work samples is not one of them. Strong side projects is a strong indicator of skill. FWIW, for those who do not have projects like the OP, its important IMHO to offer a take-home variety. If you do not have side projects, and are not willing to do a few hours of take home work, then I usually screen you out since there are plenty of other candidates that fit in either bucket and will be easier to make an informed hiring decision about. A strong work sample is an unnecessary but largely sufficient condition for assessing hands-on-keyboard coding skills (a subset of the skills needed to be a good software engineer), so screening out people who don't have them, when there is a glut of supply of skilled labor, as it might be in Austin, is a rational strategy.