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Live Codings

Goals​

  1. Assess Problem-Solving Skills Evaluate the candidate's ability to break down complex problems, devise effective solutions, and measure the time taken to arrive at a solution.
  2. Understand Technical Proficiency Determine the candidate's familiarity with programming concepts, algorithms, and data structures.
  3. Evaluate Communication Observe how well the candidate articulates their thought process and collaborates during problem-solving.
  4. Gauge Adaptability Assess how the candidate handles unexpected challenges or feedback during the session.
  5. Identify Coding Best Practices Look for clean, maintainable, and efficient code that adheres to industry standards.

Structure​

Duration: 1 hour

1. Intro / Screening (10-15 min)​

  1. Quick intro.
  2. Set expectations for the meeting: Explain the interview structure.
  3. Ask the candidate to introduce themselves and describe a project where they solved a complex backend problem.
  4. Ask if they evaluated multiple alternatives and why they chose their solution.

2. Live Coding (40-45 min)​

  1. Share the CodeSandbox URL with the candidate.
  2. Ask them to share a Google Chrome window.
  3. Inform them they can Google solutions.
info

Share instructions for the candidate in the CodeSandbox repo README.

3. Questions from the Candidate (5 min)​

  1. Answer the candidate's questions.
  2. Inform them of the next steps: You'll provide feedback, and someone from Pair Team will communicate with them.

Preparation​

CodeSandbox is the platform used to host the development environment for the candidate during the live coding session.

  • Before the interview, ensure you fork one of the available CodeSandbox templates and thoroughly prepare the repository for the candidate. This includes verifying that the environment is functional.
  • Have the prepared CodeSandbox URL ready to share with the candidate at the start of the live coding session.

General Recommendations​

  • Be respectful and create a welcoming environment to help the candidate feel comfortable.
  • Ensure the candidate has a clear understanding of the problem before they begin coding.
  • Take notes as you speak to the candidate. Use Greenhouse notes sections and identify them as "Raw notes."
  • Track observations and reactions from the candidate.
  • Avoid interrupting the candidate unless necessary to clarify or guide them.
  • Provide hints or guidance if the candidate is stuck, but avoid giving away the solution.
  • Be mindful of time and gently steer the candidate if they are spending too long on a specific part of the task.

Post interview​

Greenhouse Scorecard​

Take some time after the interview to complete the scorecard. Include the following items in the summary:

  • Strengths: Highlight key areas where the candidate excelled.
  • Weaknesses: Document areas where the candidate struggled or needed guidance.
  • Follow-up: Mention areas not covered in the interview or requiring additional follow-up in future interviews.