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Comment by wpnx | Hacker News Reader

> Don't ask them to write binary search code if they're being interviewed for a front-end position, ask them to build something. +1!

Thanks for the thoughtful response; I really love the way you worded this.

I agree with what you're saying; the best, most fun, challenging and fair interviews I've had have been at small companies coding side by side with somone. I wonder if it's possible to scale the "build-it" interview up to a google sized org.

Another idea I've been mulling around is hiring people for an N month contract position where you get to work with them. If at the end, both parties agree its a good fit, then proceed. I can see a lot of pit falls to this approach, but it might work really well for people with strong referrals.

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Definitely. Seeing how someone handles a real project, a real challenge with real consequences and timelines is arguably the better way to do it. To find the good candidates you still need to weed out the bad ones, but it's not hard to see who is the real deal by just sitting down and having a chat with them.

When I worked for the ABC here in Australia for a short contract position there was a room of about 10 people from different teams (designers, journalists, developers, managers) and each of them had a copy of my resume. They asked questions based off of what I put on my C.V to see if my answers matched. I thought that was brilliant, ask questions to see if your answers matched and if you were the real deal.

I reckon a spoken interview where you get to know the person and ask them a bit about their experience (not ask them to solve problems) will get you 85% of the way and the other 15% is if they can handle the pressure of the workplace and work well with the team. A few trial hours (unpaid) where you bring in your candidates, sit them down with your team and see how they handle things would definitely go a long way and cost nothing.

Seems I have struck a chord with someone who down-voted me. Would that person care to elaborate?

I bet you whoever downvoted you did so because you suggested candidates should work unpaid hours

That's ridiculous, and kind of offensive And it's a great way to scare away the best candidates who will have several offers lined up and skip working for free

I think it's more than fair to ask someone to come in for a couple of hours and see how they work. How is it any different from companies that sit you down and give you tests that can go on for hours unpaid anyway? Think of it as an interview, two hours is not unreasonable unless you're afraid you won't be good enough.

Once again some people on HN take things to heart way too easily. You can't voice an opinion on something without someone taking it the wrong way or personally.

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