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: Build a Simple Mobile App with a REST API
  • Objective:
    Evaluate the candidate's ability to build a basic mobile app, integrate it with a REST API, and design a simple user interface.
  • Requirements:
    • The app should display a list of items (e.g., products or blog posts) fetched from a publicly available REST API.
    • Include basic features such as item details, a search functionality, and pagination.
    • The app should handle both network errors and offline use.
    • Use platform-specific languages (e.g., Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android) or cross-platform frameworks (React Native, Flutter).
    • Ensure that the app meets performance and UX standards.
    • Submit the source code with documentation explaining your decisions and any trade-offs made.
  • Time Frame: 5 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: How did you implement API integration in your mobile app?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss how they used URLSession (iOS), Retrofit (Android), or Fetch API (React Native) to fetch data from the REST API.
    • Sample Answer: "I used URLSession to make asynchronous HTTP requests to the API and parsed the JSON response using the native Codable protocol in Swift."
  • Question: How did you handle error states (e.g., network failures) in the app?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should explain their approach to handling errors, such as using try-catch blocks or error handlers, and displaying appropriate messages to the user.
    • Sample Answer: "I used do-catch blocks to handle network errors, and displayed an alert if the request failed, prompting the user to retry."
  • Question: What steps did you take to optimize the app for performance and UX?
    • Expected Answer: Look for answers that include lazy loading for images, caching, and smooth transitions to enhance the user experience.
    • Sample Answer: "I implemented lazy loading for the images using a caching library to improve app performance, and made sure to handle large datasets by using pagination for the API calls."

Behavioral questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to troubleshoot a significant bug in an app you were developing. How did you resolve it?
    • Expected Answer: Look for examples where the candidate demonstrated strong problem-solving skills, collaborated with other developers if necessary, and remained persistent.
    • Sample Answer: "In one project, we encountered a memory leak that was causing the app to crash. I used Xcode Instruments to identify the issue and found that a background process wasn’t being properly terminated. After fixing it, I worked with QA to ensure the app was stable."
  • Question: Describe how you handle tight deadlines when developing mobile apps.
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should demonstrate good time management and prioritization of features to meet project deadlines without sacrificing quality.
    • Sample Answer: "When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize the most essential features and ensure they’re implemented first. I break down tasks into manageable parts and communicate regularly with the project manager to keep everyone informed of progress."
  • Question: How do you ensure clear communication with non-technical team members (e.g., product managers or designers)?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss how they simplify technical language and ensure transparency with other teams to align expectations.
    • Sample Answer: "I make an effort to explain technical issues in simple terms, such as using metaphors or examples that relate to their expertise. I also keep them updated on the progress of features and any potential challenges so they can adjust timelines or requirements accordingly."

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 Sample Question Rating (1-5) Comments
Technical Skills How did you approach API integration and error handling in the app?
Mobile Platform Expertise How well does the candidate know the iOS/Android ecosystem?
Problem-Solving How did you resolve issues with performance optimization?
User Experience (UX) Design How did you ensure the app was user-friendly and responsive?
Communication Skills How effectively does the candidate communicate technical issues?
Cultural Fit Does the candidate align with the company’s culture and values?

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}

Subject: Job Offer for Mobile App Developer at [Company Name]

Dear [Candidate Name],

We are thrilled to offer you the position of Mobile App Developer at [Company Name]. Your skills in mobile development, problem-solving abilities, and collaborative spirit make you an excellent fit for our team. We are confident that you will contribute significantly to the success of our mobile projects.

Your starting salary will be [salary amount], along with [list benefits such as health insurance, PTO, and other perks]. We would love for you to start on [start date]. Please find attached the formal offer letter with all the details.

We look forward to having you on our team! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Company Name]

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Sample rejection letter for {role_name}

Subject: Application Status for Mobile App Developer Position

Dear [Candidate Name],

Thank you for applying for the Mobile App Developer position at [Company Name]. We appreciate the time and effort you put into the interview process. After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with another candidate whose skills and experience more closely match our current needs.

We encourage you to keep an eye on future opportunities with [Company Name] and wish you all the best in your job search. Thank you once again for your interest in our company.

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Company Name]

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Hiring guide

About {role_name}

Job description

Source and shortlist candidates

Structured interview

Progression and salary