I’ve never tried it, but it doesn’t sound terrible. As I approach 25 years in industry, what does sound terrible is more rote studying for interviews, and I don’t mean just leetcode. The idea of just giving the work a go in situ, and we either like each other or not, sounds sort of refreshing should I find myself job shopping.

That's the problem with so many attempts to "correct" hiring. Especially for more senior roles, the best people you want to hire usually already have jobs, or they have a pick among different companies. Make the hiring process too onerous and you end up selecting for the most desperate people.

I don't know how you'd get a good signal from a "work-sample test" in under a week or so, in which case you've basically weeded out most of the people you want to hire.

I did it when I had over 40 years experience. It was a blast.

I've since used that method when I was a hiring manager, both for technical roles, and even a Manager of Compliance. Was extremely successful, both for us on the hiring side, as well as two very good hires.

In lieu of a regular interview? And if I get paid? In a heartbeat.

I don't care. We hire resume-blind.

Plenty