Work sample test and structured interview for {role_name}

After shortlisting, assess candidates' skills with a work sample task, followed by an assessment and thorough evaluation.

How to structure the interview to assess skills and cultural fit for {role_name}

Work sample test (Home assignment)

Recruitment Bullet

Assess the candidate’s practical skills by assigning a real-world task similar to the work they would do if hired.

  • Title: API Development and Database Management Task
  • Objective: Assess the candidate’s ability to develop a RESTful API and manage a database, ensuring they can handle typical backend development tasks.
  • Requirements:
    • Develop a RESTful API using a backend technology of your choice (e.g., Node.js, Java, Python).
    • Implement CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations for a sample data set.
    • Use a relational database (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) to store and manage the data.
    • Write unit tests for the API endpoints.
    • Document the API endpoints and provide instructions for setting up and running the application.
  • Time Frame: 3 days

Questions based on home assignment : 

Recruitment Bullet

Once done with work sample test evaluate the candidate’s technical proficiency based on the work sample task.

Technical questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Describe the process you followed to develop the RESTful API in the work sample task.
    • Expected Answer: A detailed explanation of the steps taken, including setting up the environment, creating the API endpoints, connecting to the database, and writing unit tests.
    • Sample Answer: "I started by setting up a Node.js environment and installed Express.js to create the API endpoints. I then created a MySQL database and used Sequelize as an ORM to interact with the database. I implemented CRUD operations for the sample data set and wrote unit tests using Mocha and Chai. Finally, I documented the API endpoints using Swagger."
  • Question: How did you ensure the security of the API endpoints you developed?
    • Expected Answer: Explanation of security measures such as authentication, authorization, input validation, and error handling.
    • Sample Answer: "I implemented JWT-based authentication to secure the API endpoints. I also added input validation using Joi to ensure only valid data is processed. Additionally, I included proper error handling and used HTTPS for secure communication."
  • Question: What challenges did you face while managing the database, and how did you overcome them?
    • Expected Answer: Description of challenges related to database schema design, query optimization, and data consistency, along with solutions.
    • Sample Answer: "One challenge was designing the database schema to efficiently support the CRUD operations. I overcame this by normalizing the data and creating appropriate indexes to optimize query performance. Ensuring data consistency during concurrent updates was another challenge, which I addressed by using transactions."

Behavioral questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Describe a time when you had to work under pressure to meet a tight deadline. How did you handle the situation?
    • Expected Answer: Detailed account of the situation, steps taken to manage time and stress, and the outcome.
    • Sample Answer: "During a previous project, we faced a tight deadline to deliver a critical feature. I prioritized tasks and broke down the work into smaller, manageable chunks. I communicated regularly with the team to ensure everyone was aligned and used time management tools to stay on track. Despite the pressure, we delivered the feature on time and received positive feedback from the client."
  • Question: How do you approach collaboration with frontend developers to ensure seamless integration between frontend and backend systems?
    • Expected Answer: Explanation of communication strategies, tools used for collaboration, and the importance of mutual understanding of requirements.
    • Sample Answer: "I believe in maintaining open and regular communication with frontend developers. We use tools like Slack and Jira for collaboration and hold weekly sync-up meetings to discuss progress and any blockers. I also make sure to clearly define API contracts and provide comprehensive documentation to ensure smooth integration."
  • Question: Can you give an example of how you have contributed to improving team processes or workflows in your previous roles?
    • Expected Answer: Specific actions taken to enhance team efficiency, communication, or project management, and the impact of those actions.
    • Sample Answer: "In my previous role, I noticed that our deployment process was time-consuming and error-prone. I proposed implementing a CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins, which automated the build and deployment process. This significantly reduced deployment times and minimized errors, leading to a more efficient workflow and faster delivery of features."

How to evaluate and compare candidates after interviews?

After interviews, it's important to evaluate and compare candidates based on a set of predefined criteria.Use scorecard to evaluate each candidate.

Recruitment Bullet

Sample scorecard based on pre-defined criteria. Here’s an example:

Criteria Rating (1-5) Comments
Experience with Backend Technologies 1-5
Knowledge of Database Management 1-5
Problem-Solving Skills 1-5
Communication Skills 1-5
Cultural Fit 1-5
Work Sample Test 1-5

What criteria should be used to make the final hiring decision?

Final decisions should be based on the candidate's overall evaluation score, with a focus on important qualifications. Prioritize technical skills above everything else for a {role_name}, but do not forget about communication and cultural fit.

Recruitment Bullet

How to communicate the decision to candidates

Sample offer letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

[Date]

[Candidate’s Name]

[Candidate’s Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

We are pleased to offer you the position of Backend Developer at [Company Name]. We believe your skills and experience will be an excellent fit for our team.

Your starting salary will be [Salary Amount] per year, and you will be eligible for the following benefits:

- [List of Benefits]

Your anticipated start date is [Start Date], and you will be reporting to [Manager’s Name].

Please review the attached documents for more details about your compensation and benefits. We are excited to have you join our team and look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Company Name]

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Sample rejection letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

[Date]

[Candidate’s Name]

[Candidate’s Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

‍

Dear [Candidate’s Name],

‍

We appreciate your interest in the Backend Developer position at [Company Name] and the time you invested in the interview process.

‍

After careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we have decided to move forward with another candidate whose qualifications better match our needs at this time.

‍

We were impressed with your skills and experience and encourage you to apply for future openings that match your profile.

‍

Thank you once again for your interest in [Company Name], and we wish you the best in your future endeavors.

‍

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Title]

[Company Name]

‍

Hiring guide

About {role_name}

Job description

Source and shortlist candidates

Structured interview

Progression and salary