• Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
  • Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!

Doing a Tecnical Test to Secure an Interview

Collapse
X
  •  
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Doing a Tecnical Test to Secure an Interview

    Had to do one of these a while back for an end client called BJSS who have a contract with UCAS in Cheltenham to build and deploy some system in time for A Level results.

    Agent reckoned it would take 2-6 hours. The document I received from the client said 2 days(!).

    My question is really, how far do you go when you're given a blank canvas to write a programme that does xyz?

    It's a case of how long is a piece of string, really.

    I mean, plugging in IoC containers, ORM, logging, unit test / mocking frameworks - this takes a lot of time. And because the job spec mentioned all the above, I guess that's what they wanted to see.

    Since I never got any feedback at all from neither BJSS nor the agent (Reece Graves at TRG who wouldn't return my emails) I can honestly say it was a wasted exercise and one I'm unlikely to repeat.
    Last edited by Gumbo Robot; 25 March 2015, 23:38.

    #2
    Be glad they didn't offer you a spelling test...
    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

    Comment


      #3
      I got put forward for that place last year, same thing 2-6 hour coding test. Told them to stick it. You wouldn't get a plumber to fit a new toilet to prove he has the ability to fit a bath before giving him a job would you? But you would talk to him and possibly get recommendations.

      Comment


        #4
        When someone asks me to do any type of structured test, it sets off alarm bells for me.

        Apart from the fact that I never do very well in them My take is that we are social animals we learn to read people and get a feeling for whether they are telling the truth or not. When I buy a car from someone I'm more interested in the getting to know the person selling the car than whether the car has been valeted or not.

        I'm not saying that you can't ask a technical question to see if someone is bulltulipting, but to organise a test tells me that the person can't trust their senses/gut feeling or their environment is such that they have to CYA all the time which again tells me something about the work environment.

        Others have disagreed but this is a forum and they are entitled to their opinion.

        Comment


          #5
          I've seen this kind of thing for PM roles too but only from one agency. They sent me a link to an online test that apparently would take one hour asking things like what the definition is of certain Prince 2 terms.

          Seeming as I have the qualifications and they can see from my experience on my CV that I can clearly do PMing I thought this was a bit crazy. Luckily I saw the same role from another agency so just applied to that one instead.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by TheLordDave View Post
            You wouldn't get a plumber to fit a new toilet to prove he has the ability to fit a bath before giving him a job would you? But you would talk to him and possibly get recommendations.
            When you see the work many 'tradesmen' do, this doesn't seem such a compelling argument
            Originally posted by MaryPoppins
            I'd still not breastfeed a nazi
            Originally posted by vetran
            Urine is quite nourishing

            Comment


              #7
              Really depends on the situation and how much i want/need the role, some times i might cave in and do the test if it's coming from the client. If i'm asked to do a technical test by the Agency i tell them to foxtrot oscar, they have no business nor capability to do such test.

              Comment


                #8
                Had a phone interview once. All they was rattle off a list of tech questions and that was it.
                Trouble was a chunk of them were for a tech that I didnt have knowledge of and never claimed to on my CV.

                At the end they said thanks, we'll let you know, the contract goes to the candidate with the highest score.
                Got feedback - had a half decent score but missed out buy 1 answer.

                Crap way to do it though IMHO.
                Rhyddid i lofnod psychocandy!!!!

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by psychocandy View Post
                  Had a phone interview once. All they was rattle off a list of tech questions and that was it.
                  Trouble was a chunk of them were for a tech that I didnt have knowledge of and never claimed to on my CV.

                  At the end they said thanks, we'll let you know, the contract goes to the candidate with the highest score.
                  Got feedback - had a half decent score but missed out buy 1 answer.

                  Crap way to do it though IMHO.
                  Dunno, worked for them in this instance
                  'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by d000hg View Post
                    When you see the work many 'tradesmen' do, this doesn't seem such a compelling argument
                    One thing I've just realised... If I am having a decent piece of work done I always ask my tradesmen for references....
                    'CUK forum personality of 2011 - Winner - Yes really!!!!

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X