Somewhat of a venting post, though I will try to maintain a constructive tone.
Today I was contacted by a young company, a Startup that has survived the early years and now seeks to expand their team.
So far, so good.
The recruiter was exquisite explaining both the current situation and what are they specifically looking for.
Then she explained their hiring process:
- [✅] initial HR call
- Cultural fit: 1h conversation
- First Tech Interview: 1h tech conversation
- 30 min call with the CTO
- Code assignment: between 3 and 8 hours - take - home assigment (up to the candidate)
- 1h Code Review with the Teach lead discussing the solution.
- Final interview with the team. (30m ~ 1h)
Look, I get it. Finding the right team fit is crucial. But seriously, this marathon of a process feels like it could do more harm than good.
I just didn't start this road.
These kind of processes may work for those shiny FANG-level companies. In this case, this particular company wasn't offering a salary over-the-top.
Possible changes: remove the code assignment and its review.
initial HR call
Cultural fit: 1h conversation
First Tech Interview: 1h tech conversation
30 min call with the CTO
- Code assignment: between 3 and 8 hours - take - home assigment (up to the candidate)
- 1h Code Review with the Teach lead discussing the solution.
- Final interview with the team. (30m ~ 1h)
+ You're IN; just a friendly conversation with the team, not part of the process.
Does this hiring process seem like the usual approach to you?
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Thanks for reading 💛.
First, a disclaimer: I'm in academia, so I'm involved in hiring, but hiring of faculty with a far more complex and lengthy process.
Now on to your hiring process question:
I think their process seems quite reasonable. The stuff you want to cut all sounds important. Actually if you cut all of that, you create a scenario where one person makes the decision (the first "tech interview"). The HR step isn't likely that involved in the decision. Unless the CTO sees a red flag, they will likely leave decision mostly to the tech people. So, I find the final interview with the team rather important. No longer one person deciding in a silo.
The take home assignment allows them to see what you can do. So that also seems important. From what you describe (i.e. "up to candidate"), it sounds better than what some do with obscure puzzle problems.
The followup code review allows them to not just see end product but to also get insight into your problem solving process. It allows them to also observe your communications skills in technical context and not just conversational. It also is a sign that they aren't just looking at your assignment in a correct or not correct evaluation. They are likely at least as much interested in your process as they are in whether your solution is correct. A buggy solution may pass interview step if they like your approach and skill in explaining it. A fully functioning one may fail if you lack skill in presenting it.