Hiring programmers based on their resumes is similar to asking an actor to take an essay test to assess his acting abilities! Isn’t this ridiculous? In this article, I will go over all of the aspects of hiring a developer, including the various types of coding tests available, common coding languages, algorithms, and questions used in coding challenges, as well as candidate training, websites that provide practice sessions, and employers who actively use these programming challenges to hire developers.
Screening a Programmer
There are various screening processes for hiring a software developer or programmer.
Types: Coding, Programming, or Code Test.
Online code or software tests can be proctored.
They all appear to be the same with a word attached at the beginning or finish. But here is the difference:
Coding Test
Collect all applicants in one room and ask them to display an output with “Hello World” or equivalent. You’ll need a room and an invigilator/proctor to keep them from cheating. There are further categories inside this.
Hackathons/Code Fests: Candidates are invited to a venue and given challenges lasting a week or a few days.
This is regarded as a measure of the developer’s actual meritocracy, as he must compete with other coders, and only the best developer will prevail. These tests can be performed on numerous levels and throughout time.
On-Campus Tests
These are comparable to Hackathons, but do not involve sprints. Candidates submit their replies and return home. Typically lasts only a few hours. Most businesses end up using this strategy. However, this is exceedingly time-consuming and labor-intensive, and cannot be done without an invigilator.
Cons: The problem with the on-premise code test is that candidates must travel to the interview venue. It is time-consuming and logistically complex. Candidates who are currently employed elsewhere cannot leave their jobs to participate in an all-nighter screening process. Not to mention the requirement for invigilators to guarantee that no one cheats. In addition, subject matter experts will need to set aside time to review the entire code.
Online Code Test
This sort of examination, often known as an online software interview or online coding test platform, requires candidates to complete code exams online. They are given questions at specific times. At that moment, all candidates logged in to take the test online.
Cons: There is a high chance of cheating here. Candidates can easily have another candidate do their examinations, have another guy help him Google the answers, or use a cell phone to check the answers. There are articles available that help candidates cheat on online examinations.
Online Proctored Code Test
In this method, candidates take the interview online at a set time, and proctors monitor them via webcam to prevent cheating. An enhanced version of this involves recording candidate videos, which are then examined by a proctor following the coding test. These two strategies are widely utilized by companies and are regarded as a fair way to hire candidates. Mercer | Mettl and Talview offer these kind of exams.
The Advanced Online Proctored Coding Test is a relatively new type in which the candidate’s video is captured, face detection, background audio recording, lighting level checks, and screen recording of the
The system also alerts for any malpractice or questionable conduct, saving a significant amount of time. The system also supports score-based section cut offs, allowing candidates to go to the next challenge
Common Programming Languages
Languages Supported for Online Coding Test. Vendors support almost all programming languages, with some being more popular than others. Below is a list of common languages supported:
- Java
- JavaScript C++
- Python Dynamic Programming
- Object-Oriented Programming
- NumPy supports AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript).
- SQL, PL/SQL
- PHP
- Ruby
- Haskell
- Perl
Some programming languages perform well when evaluated in a more complex context. VM-based simulations give such an environment.
Virtual Machine-based Simulations is a multifaceted solution that can provide applicants with a cloud-based Virtual Machines environment where they can complete specified tasks using any Graphic User Interface-based application.
Common Questions in Coding Interviews
- Questions about data structures.
- Maximum depth or height of a binary tree.
- Finding Prime and Composite Numbers
- Solving programming problems using java arraylists
- Identifying the longest palindromic substring through graph theory challenges.
- Using Java BigInteger to add and multiply large numbers
- Time complexity code
- Finding the shortest pathways between nodes in a network using the Dijkstra algorithm.
- Fizzbuzz challenge (Hackerrank’s challenge in which multiples of both 3 and 5 must be printed as “FizzBuzz” instead of the number, etc.), and
- Other string questions include determining the longest common subsequence.
Practice & Training
Cracking the coding interview can be difficult, and each problem can have several solutions. To prepare oneself, candidates typically attempt to practice coding online and determine where they stand.
Many providers who provide code testing also allow for practice sessions and offer training or programming lectures on popular code theories.
Mercer | Mettl features open challenges where programmers can contribute their code, as well as discussion forums and leaderboards.
Employers currently use coding tests.
Almost all employers in the virtual world conduct coding examinations to hire developers. They either engage a vendor to do the test or do it themselves if they have the resources, time, and logistics. Coding tests are widely used by companies such as ZS Associates, Booking.com, Societe Generale, Adobe, HCL, Cognizant, and DRG.
Some of them have used hackathons to recruit the greatest programmers. Some have used basic proctored code tests, while others have utilized proctored hackathons
Adobe, for example, hosted Adobe Codhers, a code carnival for women.
Once the exam has been produced, it is recommended that it be shared internally with subject matter experts and completed by them to provide a benchmark score. This can assist users understand what a good score looks like and highlight areas for development.
To assure the quality and impartiality of our tests, we at Mercer | Mettl conducts a rigorous review procedure. This ensures that consumers can trust the exam findings and utilize them to make educated employment decisions.
