Well, actually no, it says don’t do a home tech test until you’ve talked to an employer first, for example if you’ve had a phone interview.
But what is perhaps implied is that a phone interview tends to negate the need for a technical test in the first place (check interviewee basic competence without employer time commitment) so they’re probably a waste of time for everyone in general.
IMHO better to have a phone interview to check basic competence, and then bring candidates in for pair programming exercise and face-to-face interview follow-up.
Unless the job (a) specifically requires a significant amount of pair programming and (b) expects candidates to already be skilled at pair programming before starting, you’re probably significantly increasing the rate of false negatives. Pair programming is a different skill than solo programming, and comparatively few developers have much experience with it.
Overly simplified title is overly simplified. The article says refuse tests issued by recruiters, otherwise they’re fine and have a purpose.
Well, actually no, it says don’t do a home tech test until you’ve talked to an employer first, for example if you’ve had a phone interview.
But what is perhaps implied is that a phone interview tends to negate the need for a technical test in the first place (check interviewee basic competence without employer time commitment) so they’re probably a waste of time for everyone in general.
IMHO better to have a phone interview to check basic competence, and then bring candidates in for pair programming exercise and face-to-face interview follow-up.
[Comment removed by author]
It’s also expensive and turns away people who can’t take a couple days off their current job without arousing suspicion.
Unless the job (a) specifically requires a significant amount of pair programming and (b) expects candidates to already be skilled at pair programming before starting, you’re probably significantly increasing the rate of false negatives. Pair programming is a different skill than solo programming, and comparatively few developers have much experience with it.