I actually enjoyed the few times I was asked to do a small project, and I think it's much better way of evaluating someone, if done right. First off it's a sig

I actually enjoyed the few times I was asked to do a small project, and I think it's much better way of evaluating someone, if done right. First off it's a sign of commitment from the candidate : as small as the project can be, it will require on his/her part to invest more hours than the one/two of a live technical interview. Second, it's much closer to what your real job will entail : being given a task, committing to deliver on a definite deadline, and doing it using whatever tools and sources of information you are more comfortable with. A live interview should still be the final step, but in this case the candidate should defend and discuss how the project was realized, possible improvements and problems : this way the company should be able to confirm that the project was actually done by the person being interviewed as well as judging his ability to explain, communicate and work with other people.