BSkyB, agent wants me to do a "problem solving" test BEFORE any interview

[kandr]

You remind me of a contractor who I interviewed and asked to sit a test "I don't do tests" was his reply.

"You don't work here" was mine.

He sounds like he dodged a bullet, and you missed out.

[kandr]

Why would you need to give a contractor a "test". If you hire a contractor and turns out that he/she is shi te you can finish them on the spot.

Exactly, have I accidentally typed forums.permiedlosersuk.com into my browser?

[krytonsheep]

Why would you need to give a contractor a "test". If you hire a contractor and turns out that he/she is shi te you can finish them on the spot

A few years ago I'd agree and say a telephone chat would suffice. But now, if the client has got 20 applicants who look suitable, getting them to do a quick online test is a good way to narrow that number down.

[Ignis Fatuus]

He sounds like he dodged a bullet, and you missed out.

Bravo! Too few contractors (and interviewers) seem to realise that an interview is a two-way street. Sometimes the interviewer or client fails the interview.

[kandr]

A few years ago I'd agree and say a telephone chat would suffice. But now, if the client has got 20 applicants who look suitable, getting them to do a quick online test is a good way to narrow that number down.

Narrow it down to the person who figured out how to use 2 computers to cheat, one for googling the answers, the other for executing the test. I suppose the person who does this shows intelligence.

[d000hg]

I find coding tests a waste of time, like hiring a electrician and asking his to fit a bulb, then when he passes, allowing his to rewire your house.

Usually the sign of a bad development environment.

The CV should be enough with a quick chat to see if the person is for real.

If we're talking generally rather than specifically contractors, I would be very suspicious of any company who didn't ask me to write any code or solve any problems in an interview. As a developer myself, I know how easy it is to blag on some technology you never used, in general conversation. I know it's not an industry standard, but the Joel Test is well regarded and specifically asks "do you make interviewees write code".

Why would you need to give a contractor a "test". If you hire a contractor and turns out that he/she is shi te you can finish them on the spot.

After how many days' billing? A blagger can spin out several days' work getting a dev environment setup, learning the codebase, waiting for IT to give them SVN access, etc. Not to mention time lost interviewing and so on, you could lose 2 weeks on a dud very easily.

[kandr]

If we're talking generally rather than specifically contractors, I would be very suspicious of any company who didn't ask me to write any code or solve any problems in an interview. As a developer myself, I know how easy it is to blag on some technology you never used, in general conversation. I know it's not an industry standard, but the Joel Test is well regarded and specifically asks "do you make interviewees write code".

After how many days' billing? A blagger can spin out several days' work getting a dev environment setup, learning the codebase, waiting for IT to give them SVN access, etc. Not to mention time lost interviewing and so on, you could lose 2 weeks on a dud very easily.

Yeah great idea use a test thats all over the web, that any halfwit programmer has read just before the interview. That will ensure you get the top candidate.

[d000hg]

Yeah great idea use a test thats all over the web, that any halfwit programmer has read just before the interview. That will ensure you get the top candidate.

When did I suggest using a test that's on the web? Besides, a good question will pick up people learning an answer before-hand.

Can't you at least keep your trolling out of the professional forums?

[Ignis Fatuus]

If we're talking generally rather than specifically contractors, I would be very suspicious of any company who didn't ask me to write any code or solve any problems in an interview. As a developer myself, I know how easy it is to blag on some technology you never used, in general conversation. I know it's not an industry standard, but the Joel Test is well regarded and specifically asks "do you make interviewees write code".

It's just Spolsky's opinionated blog entry on software companies in general, designed like all of JOS to prove that the best thing anyone can do is to be like him.

[kandr]

When did I suggest using a test that's on the web? Besides, a good question will pick up people learning an answer before-hand.

Can't you at least keep your trolling out of the professional forums?

You said Joel's test, I guess its that moron Spolsky you are taking about? Hes a God to Bobs in their basement and crappy devs like yourself.