1 Month to become c# contractor?

[PAH]

Why should we have to continually prove our experience with inane technical tests?

Shouldn't there be a database verified by our previous clients that allows potential clients to see exactly what we've been doing?

Sort of a modern day version of the reference for technically oriented roles.

Not saying it should replace the interview, just supplement it, so the interviewer can get on with asking relevant questions about how my experience can help them achieve what they're recruiting me for.

[Churchill]

Why should we have to continually prove our experience with inane technical tests?

Shouldn't there be a database verified by our previous clients that allows potential clients to see exactly what we've been doing?

Sort of a modern day version of the reference for technically oriented roles.

Not saying it should replace the interview, just supplement it, so the interviewer can get on with asking relevant questions about how my experience can help them achieve what they're recruiting me for.

Do you think Stonemasons of the middle ages used to complain when they had to prove their ability as they moved from site to site?

Nope, they merely proved their ability then completed the job!

[chicane]

Shouldn't there be a database verified by our previous clients that allows potential clients to see exactly what we've been doing?

I can see such a system falling foul of corruption and misuse. Why do you find the concept of a technical test so objectionable?

[Shimano105]

Blagging - you can do it with a bit of effort i.e. find the right website, open a textbook
Lying - it can never happen i.e. go permie being told you are going to get training and you get f*** all
Fraud - criminal offence that can put you in jail if you get caught

Hear hear. Employers never seem overly concerned about not delivering on promises are they?

[PAH]

I can see such a system falling foul of corruption and misuse. Why do you find the concept of a technical test so objectionable?

Because like any exam, it only tests the person's memory.

I value having the initiative to quickly find solutions more valuable than remembering every damn keyword, term, and syntax.

It's like they're continually checking for newbies, when if my CV has any worth at all then it should be proof enough I've got what it takes to write a piece of code, and they should only be worried about whether I 'fit'.

[threaded]

Should you blag the background check?

I know someone who got into SHAPE on a completely fraudulent CV (they took a copy of someones and put their own contact details on it).

[milanbenes]

PAH,


you tell 'em

Milan.

[PAH]

PAH,


you tell 'em

Milan.

I sure do. And you know what Stan, it's another fine mess.

[Pinto]

What's the difference between blagging and lying or for that matter fraud? I guess it sounds less wrong?

It's all the same. What differs is who said it:

Blagging - The term used by the perpretator of the act in an attempt to soften the blow e.g. Yes, I did blag a bit but I really wanted the job. No harm done, eh?

Lying - The term used by the furious victim of the act. e.g. Your code has cost me thousands, which is no wonder, judging by the pack of lies you unashamedly adorned your C.V. with.

Fraud - The term used by the prosecutor trying to put your arse in jail. e.g. What you did Sir,is a very serious fraudulent act.

[chicane]

Because like any exam, it only tests the person's memory.

In that case maybe I misunderstood you. The technical test for my current contract was ok - I was given a Word doc containing requirements and a computer with the development environment on it, and given 3 hours to develop code to meet those requirements with the help of whatever Internet resources and books I needed.

The approach described seems to work well here - there's no deadwood within the team because 9 of 10 candidates fail the test.

I do agree with you on the paper-based technical tests - those are indeed bizarre. I know I'd fail many of them.