What? Do I have to give another test for this job? I am an experienced candidate. Aren't my CV and a reference call enough for them to decide?
As a job-seeking candidate, I can relate to that agitation. You want to avoid undergoing 'another test' for a job. We all want to be hired quickly through a short hiring process. We prefer companies that have short hiring processes.
But think of it for a while: when you buy candy, you pay and get candy, but when you buy real estate, the process is way longer. It is an asset with higher value, so the process automatically becomes longer.
Similarly, a company with a decent hiring process knows the value of the candidate they want to hire. They are not treating you like candies. They approach like they are getting the most valuable asset for their company and hence the tests and longer process.
Computan, too, has a process in place for WordPress developers, HubSpot developers, Integration experts, Shopify experts, and general web and eCommerce developers.
What gets tested in a developer test?
When a company puts up a test in the hiring process, they mix the general questions and the ones that align with their work culture, the technology they use, and the process they follow. And situational questions are also there to test the candidate's real-world practical approach if needed.
"A developer test mainly evaluates a candidate's technical proficiency in programming languages, data structures and algorithms, problem-solving abilities, and familiarity with software development concepts." Says Nadia Saleem, Director of Human Resources.
Do the developers get a common test?
"These tests typically involve coding challenges varying with each position, e.g., there's a separate test for a Full Stack or Front and Backend position of every technology and position requirement." Says Hassan Ahmed, HR Generalist, Computan.
We are not running a University or a college where every applicant gets a common test. Each position gets a separate test because the questions are also based on what the are.
What are the problems with adding and administering developer tests for candidates?
Continuing with the variety in tests, we are led to the problems of adding developer tests. This of it this way;
It would be easier to conduct the test if a common test paper was prepared for all candidates, but that is not an effective approach.
Having separate test papers for different candidates is difficult, but it is an effective approach.
We vote for effectiveness even if the task takes time or is difficult. Here are some other problems with adding and administrating developer tests for candidates, as mentioned by Nadia Saleem, Director of Human Resources, Computan.
- Time and resource constraints
- The potential for inaccurate evaluations (false negatives or positives)
- Accessibility limitations
- Biased assessments
- Ensuring test alignment with the job requirements
How are the developer tests conducted?
It is either when a developer approaches the company for a job and has cleared the HR round, or it's when the company sends out the tests in bulk to the developers through a portal and shortlists the candidate based on the test results.
See what Hassan Ahmed, HR Generalist, tells us about how the tests are conducted and the problems faced.
- We have to share the test with each individual separately; if multiple positions are involved, things get tricky and confusing.
- The first part involves an initial screening by HR. Also, each individual will have a new type of question and problem as the HR handling this process is not technical, which complicates things.
- The Tests are usually shared with the developers by creating a separate repo for everyone and adding each in that separate repo individually.
- After that phase, the next challenge is to evaluate many candidates as soon as possible to get back to everyone with feedback.
- While ensuring no one is delayed enough to write negative comments in company reviews, the last phase is scheduling an Interview since we prefer diversity. This means they can be people from any part of the world.
- Ensure the call occurs in a slot where the interviewer and interviewee are available.
- After all the calls and feedback, we decided on who to offer what, and the position was closed.
What are the benefits of Conducting Developer Tests?
Two Words; Clear Picture. The HR department and the company clearly understand the candidate they want to hire. Nadia Saleem, Director of HR, Computan, expands the clear picture for you, 'Developer tests provide objective evaluations of candidates' technical skills, establish standardized assessment criteria, aid in identifying qualified individuals with relevant expertise, and contribute to making informed hiring decisions."
As I said, buying real estate is way more thorough than buying candy. A company making a rigorous hiring process understands your value and your importance. When they hunt for developers, they go like they are looking for a valuable asset, not candy. Take this home as a benefit. The company is already treating you as valuable even before hiring you.
