Hacker News Reader

Comment by neoCrimeLabs | Hacker News Reader

I just want to create a well documented simple resful API for applicants to use. If an applicant wants to apply for a job they have to write code in the language of their choice to apply using the API. Upon successful application, request their SSH public key and supply a git repository they can check their code into. A hook script will email me upon successful commit.

A moderately experienced dev will not spend much time to apply, and frankly would probably enjoy the interface better than most job application websites. :-)

A lesser experienced dev will end up spending more time, but really if they are successful we would still want to look at them.

View on HN

And the GREAT devs like me will not waste their time on your antics and will look elsewhere for a job at a company that is less of a hassle to deal with.

Great devs never apply for any job using the traditional job application (except maybe as an after-the-fact HR formality); they are always recommended and hand picked by their network.

As a intermediate (after so many years, should I just replace that with 'mediocre') dev I think a test like this would be a fantastic way both for a company to judge me and for me to judge what a company would expect from me.

There's a huge variety in dev roles ranging from challenging to code monkey and it's sometimes hard to figure out from a job posting or even conventional conversational interview where along the spectrum the expectations are, but establishing those expectations on both sides is critical.

That isn't true for all devs.

I shouldn't have said always and never. .. how about "most of the time"?

Looks like it would be an effective filter then. Success! :-)

This sounds like a great idea! One caveat being that the it probably caters more to web/mobile devs. Eg. you probably wouldn't use this challenge for a database engineer, or machine learning role. You could, but it wouldn't tell you much about their skills in the domains you're interested in. Still definitely worth trying for roles where it makes sense. I might try this.

Great point on the rolls.

It does make me wonder how hard it would be to come up with basic challenges for different roles to simply apply to the job using their skills. I guess for some rolls harder than others. :-)

The goal wouldn't be a hard challenge, just one that shows basic competency and problem solving ability within their field.

Still this would take time and effort to create. That said, the last time I hired someone I probably spent 100 hours reading resumes, filtering candidates, and interviewing people.

Check this out https://github.com/lukasz-madon/hackers-job-apply

Now that's simple and effective. Thank you!

That is actually a great idea.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com