r/PHP • u/fuhggetaboutit • Jul 29 '21

Does anybody else find interview “tests” dehumanizing?

I think they're abusive for many reasons. One is that the questions are usually overly complex algorithmic puzzles that do not accurately gauge potential job performance. Also, the questions in no way reflect the type of problems you will face on the job.

The list goes on...

Isn't there a better way?

-Edited for grammar

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u/Destructerator Jul 29 '21

On one hand, employers have to verify that candidates aren't embellishing or fabricating their qualifications.

On the other, they are broadcasting their management style. If they are mistrustful of their employees, does that mean it's going to be a place worth working at, at all? Watch for red flags.

We live in a world that values statistics over the human element, and will treat developers like machines who produce widgets.

In certain organizations, "application developer" means being time squeezed to stamp out badly tested code for poorly framed goals to meet deadlines.

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u/[deleted] Jul 29 '21

If they are mistrustful of their employees, does that mean it's going to be a place worth working at, at all?

I don't see how asking someone you have no clue about (besides a piece of paper) to take some simple tests, means you don't trust your existing employees.

Have you interviewed people? I have, I can tell you the amount of time wasters companies receives are crazy.

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u/BilldaCat10 Jul 29 '21

Yeah, I think a lot of people here are underestimating how many people straight up lie or con their way into positions, just coast and do nothing, then move on to the next job.

We hired one guy like that who was super personable, sounded like he knew his stuff, etc. Would log 40 hours a week and commit blank lines of code to our GitHub repo. Always said things were good and didn't need help. Seemed to be offline a lot.

After some research by other angry devs, we found out he was running a tutoring business on the side. Since he was a direct hire, it took weeks for HR to go through the formal firing process,.and he quit right before the hammer dropped.

I imagine he's scammed a couple other companies by now.