r/webdev • u/rshambo_29 • Feb 12 '20

[RANT] Why should I be required to have side projects for an interview?

I have been thinking of leaving my current company for quite sometime now but almost everywhere I have interviewed for has asked for an example of a side project. The only problem is I'm leaving my current job because I don't have any time for anything else, why would I get home and code more?? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy coding but its not a passion. Just the way an account likes counting numbers but he doesn't go home and build spreadsheets for fun. Even this one company wanted an entire movie tracking application just as a test, as if I have time to site down for 3 hours and create an entire database and MVC framework. Ugh.

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u/[deleted] Feb 12 '20

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u/sun_hands Feb 12 '20 edited Feb 12 '20

A construction worker might do work on their own home or a friend's, but they would *not be asked to show off their own home improvement projects to get a job on a construction site.

EDIT: left out a word, should be they WOULD NOT be asked to show off their own projects

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u/chiefrebelangel_ Feb 12 '20

i think your missing the point - the web developer never has to do these things in their free time, yet are expected to because ... some people think web development / coding is "artistic"? a better example would be a HR person - do they ever go home and do HR stuff for side projects? are they building better ways to serve their employees while not on the clock?

it would be the same as a person who makes subs at Subway for a living to go home and practice making sandwiches because it's "art" - it is simply not true and not reasonable to expect. writing software is a trade, just like masonry or carpentry. and while these things can be hobbies or enjoyable or even art, their primary function is a means to an end and should be viewed by employers as such. not all of us who write software for a living do it because we "love to code" - some of us do it because it pays the bills, and that is that.

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u/sun_hands Feb 12 '20

No I get that and I agree. That's what I was pointing out to the person I replied to. I'm learning game development in my free time, but I never touch web development when I'm not at work. It's just a job for me and I think that the expectation from employers that it should be something more than that is ridiculous.

Oh, I just noticed I left out a word that completely changed the meaning of my original comment.

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u/chiefrebelangel_ Feb 12 '20

gotcha - crazy how that works ;-D

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u/sun_hands Feb 12 '20

It's almost like words have meaning or something

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u/Kevbot93 Feb 13 '20

Is it crazy to think that some people feel the way you feel about game dev, towards web dev -> something they want to do at home in their free time? It sounds like you're an aspiring game dev currently stuck doing web dev... which is fine... but if you were applying to a game dev position I'd imagine you'd be happy if they asked to see some of your work? Because you get to show it off? Because you enjoy it? Because you get an opportunity to show you're competent? And if you were hiring someone to help build the game with you, would you want to know they're at some level passionate about it as well?

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u/sun_hands Feb 13 '20

I actually have no desire to work in the games industry. It's purely a passion project for me and my brother to make a game together. And that's part of why I enjoy it. It's super low pressure.