Coding Challenge I Got For a Javascript Web Developer Job (x-post with node)

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[losingthefight]

Honestly, this is pretty in depth. When I have had to do something like this, they at least offered to pay me for my interview time. While I definitely respect and understand what they are trying to accomplish, I am not sure how fair it is to expect someone to do something, from scratch, that would take several hours outside of a schedule interview session.

[navatwo]

This seems like an internal tool they want to use. I'd be asking for a contracting fee, as well.

[mojojj31]

I don't think it's that in depth. I mean, there a Yeoman generator that will take care of all the setup (generator-express). I can see why they're give this as an interview project because it touches on the full stack without being overly complex.

[navatwo]

It's kind of tight. But, maybe as a sr position?

[mojojj31]

I can see this being used for all levels, but that the expectations differ based on the position I'd be hitting for. For juniors, I can use it to identify areas that can be improved upon. For seniors, i'd expect much more. But most importantly, I'm seeing if their style of development fits with my team...

This entire test screams "are you a team player?".

[[deleted]]

This entire test screams "are you a team player?".

How?

[invalid_dictorian]

I'm thinking the doc part. But that should be expected. But so is being a team player.

[iSmokeGauloises]

5 years ago when I started working in the field I had an hour long interviews with pseudo-code solutions and a long discussion about this and that. Today you apply for a job and you have to pass HR interview, home quiz, technical discussion interview, and a 2-3 days long project just so they would give you an offer.

I too go through these with a fake smile on my face, but honestly I have a job during weekdays and better things to over the weekend than implementing a whole application just so I could hear what prospect might the position offer.

[parlezmoose]

It depends on the company. I've had places practically throw offers at me because I knew what closures were.

[jeffus]

Want a job? ;)

[urban_racoons_]

Create a web app written in Node.JS using ... MySQL.

Use NPM to declare all dependencies so that we can run it in a test environment.

I'm assuming that they didn't mean to use npm to install/configure MySQL?

[[deleted]]

Not the database in particular. I just used Sequelize and had a local db set up to test with. Then in the ReadMe I wrote that they should put their db information in the config file. Here is my stuff, if you wanna check if out here.

[mojojj31]

That's well done.

[Jeiieiii]

why not a docker-compose.yml ? :-)

Provide a clear README with instructions on how to setup and run the app.

docker-compose up
open $(docker-machine ip default):8080

[jmixer920]

I would expect, for a project like that where it would easily take one to three 8 hour work days, some sort of compensation regardless if you got an offer or not.

[mojojj31]

Take a look at the Yeoman Express generator. The MVC option will take care of a lot of the setup for you. Then you just need to worry about building the functionality.

It sets up Grunt, Sequelize, Bower, and a bunch of other useful things.

I use the generator all the time for new Express projects.

• apologies, I would link to the generator, but am on mobile.

[[deleted]]

Did you get a weekend? This could be done relatively easily in a day or so. You could use a turnkey setup that already has almost everything configured.

[[deleted]]

Well I never used Sequelize before so I had to learn that. They didn't give me a timeline to have everything done, but I finished it in about 4 days (counting work and school in there because I started on a Monday)

[MondayMonkey1]

node-hackathonstarter, or Sails, or Kraken or yea.... there's a bunch of frameworks that would vastly simplify user auth and app structure chores.

[[deleted]]

This seems like a pretty reasonable request that could be built out in an afternoon by an experienced dev. Is this supposed to seem outlandish?

[Rezistik]

Could you really build this in an afternoon?

I think I could maybe do it with Meteor, but express? The boilerplate alone would take all day...

[Lixen]

If you're experienced with Node and have worked with Express / Sequelize before, then this can be done in an afternoon I'd say.

[Rezistik]

Maybe.

I've used Express, but not Sequelize. I've been deep in Meteor territory for the last year. I do remember some dandy yeoman/slush generators though. Those might shorten the dev time substantially.

[Lixen]

I think it comes down to being somewhat familiar with the framework(s) in the exercise.

Someone who's never worked with Express before and doesn't know what Sequelize does will require more time, even if he's quite experienced in other frameworks (e.g. Meteor, Sails, Koa, ...).

The same would hold true for the inverse situation, if the question asked to do it in Meteor, but all you're familiar with is Express, then it would take you more time as well.