Evaluating a Suspicious Take-Home Coding Assignment from a Real Estate AI Startup

In the competitive landscape of tech recruitment, it’s not uncommon for companies to request coding assignments to assess candidates’ skills. However, occasionally, such requests raise red flags regarding legitimacy and potential exploitation. Recently, a job seeker received a take-home assignment from a company claiming to develop an AI chatbot for the real estate industry. The following analysis aims to help professionals discern whether such assignments are legitimate or potentially problematic.

The Assignment and Company Background

The company in question, Atrium, presents itself as an innovative player in the real estate AI space. Their online presence includes a website atriuma.com and a LinkedIn profile here. The communication from Atrium indicates that candidates are expected to complete a substantial coding task within one week—a timeframe that suggests a significant commitment.

Concerns About Legitimacy and Fairness

Several aspects of this outreach warrant closer scrutiny:

• Unusual Scope and Time Commitment: The assignment appears lengthy and complex, which might be disproportionate to initial screening processes. Legitimate companies typically request smaller tasks or preliminary assessments before committing candidates to extensive projects.

• Lack of Transparency: The company’s online materials, including LinkedIn posts and website content, reportedly contain AI-generated text. This may reflect a lack of authenticity or a reliance on automation rather than genuine human engagement.

• Potential for Exploitation: Requests for extensive work without appropriate compensation or clear explanation raise ethical questions. Companies should be transparent about the purpose of assignments and whether they serve as paid testing or unpaid labor.

Red Flags in Communication

• Use of AI in company communications can sometimes be an indicator of automation that lacks genuine human oversight or personalized engagement.

• The LinkedIn profile and website should be evaluated for consistency, professionalism, and transparency about the company’s mission and team.

Best Practices When Evaluating Job Offers and Assignments

• Research the Company: Verify their online presence, employee reviews, and industry reputation.

• Assess the Assignment: Determine if the task aligns with the role’s responsibilities, and be cautious of overly burdensome requests early in the process.

• Ask for Clarification: Contact the hiring team to understand the purpose of the assignment, whether it’s paid, and how it fits into their recruitment process.

• Trust Your Intuition: If something feels off—such