Once you pass an initial interview, you would feel pretty confident about your chances of landing the desired job. However, the hiring manager can require you to complete an interview assignment before you can move ahead.
An interview assignment is a project or task related to the position that you are applying for. It helps the hiring manager gain more concrete information about a potential candidate’s abilities, thought patterns and work ethic. Usually, interview assignments are written, technical or presentations. These are usually given at the end of the hiring process when the employer is more likely to make a positive decision. Although such assignments might not be exactly what you would be doing if hired for the job, these could be very similar to projects you can expect once you join the team.
DOs and DON’Ts
The interview assignment is used to demonstrate your abilities and differentiate yourself from other candidates. Here are a few Dos and DON’Ts that you need to keep in mind to ace your next interview assignment.
Do follow instructions
Read the interview assignment carefully and follow the instructions to complete the assignment. Make sure you pay attention to any specific instructions or details in the instructions as it can help you produce excellent work that demonstrates your ability to complete the task.
Do ask questions
Ask any questions about the assignment, if you have any doubts. Ask for clarification about any section of the assignment if need be. You can also ask for company data and information that could help you complete it. This will help you deliver the expected results.
Do demonstrate your understanding
In order to complete your interview assignment, you would need to make the best use of your knowledge about the company. To ensure that your final product is representative of the company's style, tone and values, you should research the company thoroughly.
Do more than the minimum requirement
You can do more than what is required, but don’t stray too far from the instructions. Demonstrate creativity, initiative and enthusiasm for the job. The hiring manager will be impressed to learn more about you and how you could contribute to the success of the company.
Do review your work
Before submitting your interview assignment, review it. Before submitting anything, proofread it. Test any code you have completed. Practice any speech. You should be thorough when looking for errors and fact-check your work. You should allow yourself ample time to go through your interview assignment several times so as to give you a fresh perspective.
Do get excited about the job
Your enthusiasm for the job will be reflected in your work. Your excitement is ample motivation to produce the best possible work. Send your completed work to the hiring manager. Express gratitude, thank them for the opportunity and reiterate your excitement about working for the company.
Do turn your work in on time
You must submit your interview assignment keeping the deadline in mind. If the hiring manager gives you a deadline that doesn't fit with your schedule, you should ask for more time. Most hiring managers are flexible and understand if you require more time than usual to complete the interview assignment.
Do understanding the purpose of the interview assignment
It is important to know the purpose of the interview assignment. Ask if it is the final step in the hiring process. Also, how important is the assignment compared to the interview in determining whether you are offered a job? It is also a good idea to ask the company what they will do with your work. Ask, for example, if this is a hypothetical assignment that is being used to evaluate your abilities or if it is work that may be used by the company for their own benefit.
Do Practice
To help you prepare for your job interview, practice your skills. If the hiring manager says they would be sending you a coding quiz before you complete the exam, do practice the coding languages. Practice delivering your presentation multiple times before you present it to the hiring manager.
Do your research and be prepared
Learn from others about their experiences while being interviewed for the company. Look into previous job interview questions. This will help you learn more about the company's expectations.
Do assess the ROI
The return on investment of the interview assignment is important. The hiring manager will want to find the perfect person for the job, but it is important that the project doesn't take too much time. A majority of interview assignments shouldn't take more than a few hours. Consider the details of the assignment and compare them to the job for which you are applying.
Don’t make assumptions
Don't make assumptions about the interview assignment you are working on. Instead, ask the hiring manager any questions you may have for greater clarity. It is normal to not be familiar with every detail or expectation of the company. Asking questions demonstrates your willingness to learn and do the right things.
Don’t do the assignment if you don’t enjoy it
Interview assignments can often be similar to the work you would end up doing if hired. If you find yourself working on an assignment that you are not enjoying, inform the hiring manager and request to be removed from consideration. This saves you and the hiring team from wasting either’s time and will also make a positive impression if you are looking to be hired for future jobs.
Don't spend too much time on the assignment
To complete the interview assignment correctly, it’s important that you spend enough time. In most cases, however, the employer won't ask you to spend more time on the assignment than necessary. Ask the hiring manager to estimate how long it would take to complete the assignment once you have received it. This will give you a guideline on how much time you should allow for completing the assignment.
Don’t overcommit yourself
Give yourself enough time to finish the task without being too pushy. Your schedule should be cleared as soon as possible. Reschedule any commitments, if possible, to make it easier to concentrate on the assignment.
Don’t ask others to answer your questions
You should complete the assignment by yourself. Before you start working on your interview assignment, it is worth asking for help. If you have questions about Python or need help with a programming task, you can ask for assistance before you start the assignment.
Examples of Interview assignments
Each job role has its own interview assignment. Here are a few examples of interview assignments that could be of use to you.
Example 1:
Stratus Software Solutions is looking for a software engineer to join their cloud-based platform. The hiring manager gives candidates access to the company's source code repository and limited instructions regarding a coding problem. Each candidate is required to solve the problem and write practical, clean code.
Example 2:
Full Circle Marketing Agency is looking for a content specialist who can write long-form blogs. The hiring manager gives candidates a topic, resources, and an internal style guide. Each candidate is asked by the manager to read blogs posted on the agency's site and create a similar blog of 1000 words using the sources.
Example 3:
Big Moments Inc. is looking for a data analyst to obtain information based on a large chunk of data available from recent surveys. The hiring manager gives candidates company information, a sample catalog and a factsheet. Each candidate is asked to make and present a report that will be of use in furthering the business process.
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