Four years ago, when I was interviewing for API Support Engineer in Developer Relations at Google, I was asked to complete a Technical Worksheet, with challenges like write an AJAX mashup, write an XML schema, write a letter to a disgruntled developer, explain HTTP verbs to a 5-year-old. It was basically a mini version of what I would later be doing on my job, it was really fun to do, and it was great preparation for the interview.
Unfortunately, as much as I loved that worksheet, I hear that we do not usually give it out anymore to new interviewees. I guess that it offends or intimidates people that are more experienced or interviewing at multiple companies. (I was a college student when I did it, and it did take me a few days of ignoring my homework to complete).
So now, we have to base our decision mostly on the technical interview, which as discussed, has its flaws - particularly if the candidate is a nervous interviewee. It does well at eliminating the folks we don't want, but I think a few times, it's eliminated people we would have benefited from. I think we'd do well by offering the worksheet as an option to all new interviewees, but not a requirement.
Unfortunately, as much as I loved that worksheet, I hear that we do not usually give it out anymore to new interviewees. I guess that it offends or intimidates people that are more experienced or interviewing at multiple companies. (I was a college student when I did it, and it did take me a few days of ignoring my homework to complete).
So now, we have to base our decision mostly on the technical interview, which as discussed, has its flaws - particularly if the candidate is a nervous interviewee. It does well at eliminating the folks we don't want, but I think a few times, it's eliminated people we would have benefited from. I think we'd do well by offering the worksheet as an option to all new interviewees, but not a requirement.