WHY CANDIDATE ASSIGNMENTS ARE THE BEST ASSESSMENT TOOL

Summary from the TLDR Founders newsletter

Interviews, resumes, and references are okay for assessing candidate characteristics but terrible at evaluating abilities. Assignments that simulate real work constraints are the best way to test skills, critical thinking, and process. Great assignments aren't free consulting, but rather a chance for both sides to assess fit. The key is designing assignments that test the right things while respecting candidate time. While this may cause some potential candidates to drop out, the tradeoff of a smaller but better-suited pool is worth it.