Take-home Assignments
Take-home Assignments are tasks or projects given to candidates to complete on their own time as part of the job application process. These assignments are designed to assess a candidate's skills, problem-solving ability, and compatibility with the job's responsibilities.
Goal
The primary goal is to evaluate the candidates' abilities in a real-world context, allowing them to demonstrate their skills and creativity in a low-pressure environment. It also gives candidates a taste of the kind of work they would be doing.
Context
Interviewing is a skill. But you do not need the same skill set to interview as you do to do the job. Take-home assignments can help to bridge this gap. They can also help to reduce bias in the interview process. By providing a structured task that all candidates complete, you can ensure that all candidates are evaluated on the same criteria.
Assignment Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Coding Challenges | Tasks that require the candidate to write code, fix bugs, or design algorithms relevant to the job's technical needs. |
| Design Projects | Assignments for design roles, asking candidates to create or critique designs, illustrating their design thinking and execution skills. |
| Case Studies | For strategy or business roles, candidates analyse a problem, review data, and propose solutions, demonstrating their analytical and strategic thinking. |
| Presentation Tasks | Candidates prepare a presentation on a given topic, showcasing their ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively. |
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Assignment Brief | A detailed description of the assignment, including objectives, scope, criteria for success, and deadlines. |
| Shortlisted Candidates | A list of candidates who meet the initial criteria and are selected for further evaluation. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Shortlisted Candidates | A list of candidates who meet the initial criteria and are selected for further evaluation. | Streamlines the recruitment process by focusing on qualified candidates. |
| Feedback for Rejected Candidates | Constructive feedback provided to candidates who were not selected for further consideration. | Enhances employer brand and candidate experience. |
Anti-patterns
- Overly Time-consuming Assignments: Giving candidates tasks that require an unreasonable amount of time to complete can discourage them from continuing the application process.
- Failure to Query Candidates: With modern LLM's it is easy to cheat on take-home assignments. It is important to ask candidates to explain their work and thought process.