Reply to: Feedback from contractor test

[billybiro]

Maybe because, in this day and age, it's a buyer's market and if want a job you're forced to bend over and take any old sh!t unscrupulous employers care to dish out?

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...ml#post2505972

Quite. It was a rhetorical question.

[BrilloPad]

Why should the OP spend his time/money on the test?

Maybe because, in this day and age, it's a buyer's market and if want a job you're forced to bend over and take any old sh!t unscrupulous employers care to dish out?

https://forums.contractoruk.com/busi...ml#post2505972

[billybiro]

Is it the agent or end clients role to give you feedback to help you get better? Why should they spend money/time on that?

Why should the OP spend his time/money on the test?

[BrilloPad]

These tests encourage people who learn by rote and don't understand what they are doing.

My current role includes database development. They never ask SQL questions as they are too easy.....

[Yonmons]

Educational establishments I have found to like the "Test" routine, wont do them now, although I have been caught out and done them in the past. Nipped out in my lunch once for an interview as my contract was ending, Started by wanting me to do an hour long "Microsoft" based test before the interview. I declined their kind offer and said it they couldn't go off 18 years experience in I.T. and the roles I`ve held then I wasn't interested. Obviously didn't get it, and did hear the role was "pulled" later.

[BrilloPad]

Not a contract interview but for a perm role once I arrived at the interview and found an A3 sketch pad, crayons, pencils, pens and a rubber on the desk. The first thing they asked me to do was to spend 10-15 minutes drawing... I told them I wasn't in any way artistic which was why I worked in IT... They were quite persistent, so I drew 3 stick men with a regular lead pencil and spent the remaining 14mins and 30 seconds twiddling my thumbs.

I never did find out what they thought of my protest drawing....

Most of the interviews I have I am only allowed crayons.

[mattfx]

Not a contract interview but for a perm role once I arrived at the interview and found an A3 sketch pad, crayons, pencils, pens and a rubber on the desk. The first thing they asked me to do was to spend 10-15 minutes drawing... I told them I wasn't in any way artistic which was why I worked in IT... They were quite persistent, so I drew 3 stick men with a regular lead pencil and spent the remaining 14mins and 30 seconds twiddling my thumbs.

I never did find out what they thought of my protest drawing....

[perplexed]

I refused to do tests like that.

Certifications, years of experience far more telling that a noddy program.

One asked me to code the FizzBuzz problem. At home. As I pointed out, there are endless solutions online - how does that tell them anything? Another wanted me to spend a max 6 hours coding a solution. It was pretty clear that it was a domain related solution, so wanted me to work for free. I looked at the specification supplied and gave a quote. Didn't hear back.

I always found those coding tests or even online tests were more about trying to trip people up than displaying actual relevant knowledge along with covering the fact the client weren't that capable of interviewing well. In my experience, a good interviewer can spot a bs artist within minutes.

[Bheleu]

They are probably using your program solution to correct another programmer's failings but just wanted a free way to do it.

I should co co

[Bheleu]

You got told you did not get the job? You lucky b*****d! Most of us just get ignored. You really are the blue eyed boy/girl. Did you slip the agent a few shekels?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EI7p2p1QJI

It would be nice to get a few shekels I might settle for a crumb or two, but at least I now known I am not the only one, I should have got some 'Old Overcoat' in to drink to wash away the taste

[BrilloPad]

You got told you did not get the job? You lucky b*****d! Most of us just get ignored. You really are the blue eyed boy/girl. Did you slip the agent a few shekels?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EI7p2p1QJI

[washed up contractor]

Just been asked to do a test program for a contract interview.

Did it, the only response from the agent was 'You did'nt get the job'

Does anybody else round here get any sort off feedback from this type of thing ?

I do not mind doing tests, but I resent it if I have spent several hours of my time doing something for somebody else and I do not get any feedback!

They are probably using your program solution to correct another programmer's failings but just wanted a free way to do it.

[SueEllen]

They won't give you feedback as they don't want to be sued.

[northernladuk]

I do not mind doing tests, but I resent it if I have spent several hours of my time doing something for somebody else and I do not get any feedback!

You are going to have to get over that or you are going to have a long miserable contracting career. It's hard nosed business now I am afraid.

[jmo21]

Just been asked to do a test program for a contract interview.

Did it, the only response from the agent was 'You did'nt get the job'

Does anybody else round here get any sort off feedback from this type of thing ?

I do not mind doing tests, but I resent it if I have spent several hours of my time doing something for somebody else and I do not get any feedback!

Is it the agent or end clients role to give you feedback to help you get better? Why should they spend money/time on that?