Work completed in your own time.
WHAT THEY PROVIDE
A more realistic assessment than a live interview Time to think
WHAT THEY COST
Hours of unpaid work, sometimes many.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE ACCEPTING
The expected time The deadline What happens next
WHY THE EXPECTED TIME
Assignments described as a few hours frequently take a day.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT UNREASONABLE ONES
Ask whether the scope can be reduced, or decline.
WHAT UNREASONABLE LOOKS LIKE
Many days of work Building something they will use No clear evaluation criteria
WHAT TO DO WITHIN THE SCOPE
Finish something working, rather than starting something ambitious.
WHY
Incomplete submissions fail regardless of quality.
WHAT TO INCLUDE
Clear instructions to run it A note on decisions and trade-offs What you would do with more time
WHY THAT LAST PART
It demonstrates judgement without requiring the work.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE
Correctness Readability Tests, if the role involves them
WHAT TO AVOID
Over-engineering Unnecessary dependencies Leaving it unfinished
WHAT TO DO IF YOU CANNOT FINISH
Submit what works, with an honest note.
WHAT TO ASK FOR AFTERWARDS
Feedback.
WHY
It is the most useful thing from a rejection.
