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 RESTful API
  • Objective: Create a RESTful API for a simple task management system.
  • Requirements:some text
    • Develop an API that allows users to create, read, update, and delete tasks.
    • Implement authentication and authorization.
    • Use a database to store tasks.
    • Provide documentation for the API endpoints.‍
  • 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: Describe your approach to designing the database schema for the task management system.
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should discuss tables for users and tasks, relationships between them, and key fields like user_id and task_id.
    • Sample Answer: "I would design the database schema with two primary tables: Users and Tasks. The Users table would include fields such as user_id, username, and password_hash. The Tasks table would include task_id, user_id (foreign key), title, description, status, and due_date. The user_id field in the Tasks table would establish a one-to-many relationship between users and tasks."
  • Question: How would you implement authentication in the API?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should mention using JWT (JSON Web Tokens) for authentication and explain the process of generating and validating tokens.
    • Sample Answer: "I would use JWT for authentication. Upon login, the server would generate a JWT token containing user information and return it to the client. The client would include this token in the Authorization header for subsequent requests. The server would then validate the token on each request to ensure it is valid and not expired."
  • Question: What HTTP methods would you use for each CRUD operation in the API?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should correctly map the CRUD operations to the appropriate HTTP methods.
    • Sample Answer: "For CRUD operations, I would use:
      • Create: POST method to create a new task.
      • Read: GET method to retrieve tasks.
      • Update: PUT or PATCH method to update an existing task.
      • Delete: DELETE method to remove a task."

Behavioral questions

Recruitment Bullet

Duration : 10 minutes/question

  • Question: Describe a time when you had to work on a project with tight deadlines. How did you manage your time and ensure the project was completed?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should provide a specific example, explain the situation, how they managed their time, and the outcome.
    • Sample Answer: "In a previous project, we had a tight deadline to release a new feature. I prioritized tasks based on urgency and importance, set clear milestones, and used time management tools to track progress. I also communicated regularly with the team to ensure everyone was aligned. We successfully completed the project on time with all features implemented."
  • Question: How do you handle conflicts within a team?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should describe their approach to resolving conflicts, including communication and finding a compromise.
    • Sample Answer: "I handle conflicts by first listening to all parties involved to understand their perspectives. I then facilitate a discussion to address the issues, encouraging open communication and seeking common ground. If necessary, I mediate to find a compromise that satisfies everyone and helps move the project forward."
  • Question: Give an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change at work. How did you handle it?
    • Expected Answer: The candidate should describe the change, their reaction, and how they adapted to it.
    • Sample Answer: "When our team transitioned to a new technology stack, I had to quickly learn the new tools and frameworks. I dedicated time to training and hands-on practice, and sought guidance from colleagues who had experience with the technology. I adapted by integrating the new stack into our workflow and provided support to the team to ensure a smooth transition."

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 and Sample Questions
Criteria Sample Question Rating (1-5) Comments
Technical Skills Describe your approach to designing the database schema.
System Design How would you implement authentication in the API?
Problem-Solving What HTTP methods would you use for each CRUD operation?
Communication Skills How do you handle conflicts within a team?
Adaptability Give an example of a time when you had to adapt to a change.
Time Management Describe a time when you had to work on a project with tight deadlines.
Cultural Fit Discussion about company values and mission

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 Software Engineer at [Your Company Name]. We were impressed with your skills and experience, and we believe you will be a valuable addition to our team.

Position: Software Engineer
Start Date: [Start Date]
Salary: [Salary Amount] per year
Benefits: [Brief Overview of Benefits]

Please confirm your acceptance of this offer by signing below and returning this letter by [Acceptance Deadline].

We look forward to welcoming you to our team.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]

Sample rejection letter for {role_name}

[Your Company Letterhead]

[Date]

[Candidate's Name]
[Candidate's Address]
[City, State, ZIP Code]

Dear [Candidate's Name],

Thank you for your interest in the Software Engineer position at [Your Company Name] and for taking the time to meet with our team. We appreciate your effort in the application process.

After careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with another candidate who more closely matches our current needs for this role. This decision was not easy, as we received applications from many qualified candidates, including yourself.

We will keep your resume on file for future opportunities that may align with your skills and experience. We encourage you to apply again in the future and wish you the best of luck in your job search.

Thank you once again for your interest in [Your Company Name].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Company Name]

Hiring guide

About {role_name}

Job description

Source and shortlist candidates

Structured interview

Progression and salary