An email I just read had me convinced I would be interviewing a job candidate in the five minutes. I was busy with another project, which got me thinking…
One of the best ways I know to evaluate a prospective employee’s performance is to give them a problem to solve and see how they do. Lots of people can talk a good game but when its time to roll up their sleeves, who’s in and who’s out?
This could lead to some interesting abuse, however. If you’re a cheap, Scrooge-type bastard, you could schedule all-day interviews with a string of job candidates. Give them some of the work you’d otherwise have to do, telling them you’re “evaluating their performance.” At the end of the day, you’ve gotten your work done for free!
Profit!!!11!1!
That works if they’re qualified candidates, but what if they take your job?