>, then it doesn't seem like it should be much different to take half a day to work on an interviewing problem. But a lot of companies use the multi-hour codin

>, then it doesn't seem like it should be much different to take half a day to work on an interviewing problem. But a lot of companies use the multi-hour coding homework as a preliminary filter before asking the candidate to take the "next step" to the half-day onsite interview. The coding homework is asymmetric work because the company doesn't have to expend their existing employees time on prospective candidates. In fact, a lot of companies let recruiters coordinate the coding homework so their existing employees spend the least amount of time on it. The onsite interview is more symmetric effort because both the interviewer and the candidate have to expend time together. There's a bit more commitment on the part of the company doing the hiring. I'm not complaining. Just stating how the different perspectives play out.