Giving test in job interview

Tuesday, October 3. 2006

The other day my manager asked me why didn't I give some tests for the job candidates. I replied: "Passing or failing the test doesn't reflect any fact about the ability to work, on the other hand, by asking the right questions, most likely you would get some clues".

Posted by Steven Yong in non-computer at 10:08 | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0)

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IMHO, tests are only 1 small part of the whole interview process. It is useful to gauge how a person reacts under a simulated stressful environment. As to the knowledge, it can only test so much.

The best I got was an interview on a mythical scenario where I was asked to come out with a rough solution and talk about the technologies required to fulfill the rough solution.

So, are tests useful? These days, it would be useful for hiring developers/coders but then, there is only so much to test...

I still believe that asking them to answer technical questions as I can roughly gauge their thought processes in approaching questions.

#1 Angie Tan (Homepage) on 2006-10-03 10:20 (Reply)

I totally agree with you.

#2 Keng Mun on 2006-10-13 23:01 (Reply)

Just came across this article by Joel Spolsky and it reminded me about your post. Check it out --> http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/GuerrillaInterviewing3.html

#3 Angie Tan (Homepage) on 2006-10-27 09:43 (Reply)

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