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> Did 10+ hours of a challenge project Those things are a hard "no" for me. 10 hours of interviews... I might not like it, but at least it's symmetric. People

by davidw 7y ago

> Did 10+ hours of a challenge project Those things are a hard "no" for me. 10 hours of interviews... I might not like it, but at least it's symmetric. People at the company are putting their time in to the process as much as I am. But with a job, kids, hobbies, volunteer work and so on, I just pass on companies that have day+ long 'coding challenges'.

toolslive 7y ago
Don't say no. ask for compensation; after all, you're providing a consultancy service here.
rconti 7y ago
I like your "asymmetric" description. That's a good explanation. I did one, once. I liked it initially; if my skill set isn't quite up to par, I can spend 10 hours on something they expect to only take me 5, and so I have a better opportunity to impress if I'm really interested. On the other hand, I tend to get along very well with people, so I "interview well", and I like the on-site thing because it's time-boxed. I either get the job, or I fail, but at least it's over, and doesn't drag on indefinitely.
ghaff 7y ago
For the most part I agree. Let me offer one counterexample though. I've never been primarily a developer but I have worked in areas where one of my primary outputs is writing. When I've hired for a similar role, if someone doesn't (for whatever reason) have writing sample(s), they're not going to get hired unless they produce one. It doesn't have to be an assignment; choose a relevant topic. But I'm not going to trust you that you've done tons of great writing if I can't see it. And that may take a day or two.
- cookie_monsta 7y ago
  I'm curious about what the situation would be where a person had done tons of great writing but could not come up with one sample. Confidentiality?
  - ghaff 7y ago
    I agree it would be a bit odd--and something of a red flag TBH. >confidentially But yes. One can imagine someone writing non-public reports and analyses for internal or client use only and just doesn't really do that kind of thing in their spare time. Myself, I have tons of public material but I've also written many things I couldn't share.

by davidw 7y ago

toolslive 7y ago

Don't say no. ask for compensation; after all, you're providing a consultancy service here.

rconti 7y ago

I like your "asymmetric" description. That's a good explanation. I did one, once. I liked it initially; if my skill set isn't quite up to par, I can spend 10 hours on something they expect to only take me 5, and so I have a better opportunity to impress if I'm really interested. On the other hand, I tend to get along very well with people, so I "interview well", and I like the on-site thing because it's time-boxed. I either get the job, or I fail, but at least it's over, and doesn't drag on indefinitely.

ghaff 7y ago

For the most part I agree. Let me offer one counterexample though. I've never been primarily a developer but I have worked in areas where one of my primary outputs is writing. When I've hired for a similar role, if someone doesn't (for whatever reason) have writing sample(s), they're not going to get hired unless they produce one. It doesn't have to be an assignment; choose a relevant topic. But I'm not going to trust you that you've done tons of great writing if I can't see it. And that may take a day or two.

cookie_monsta 7y ago
I'm curious about what the situation would be where a person had done tons of great writing but could not come up with one sample. Confidentiality?
- ghaff 7y ago
  I agree it would be a bit odd--and something of a red flag TBH. >confidentially But yes. One can imagine someone writing non-public reports and analyses for internal or client use only and just doesn't really do that kind of thing in their spare time. Myself, I have tons of public material but I've also written many things I couldn't share.