Should I Go the Extra Mile for a Simple Interview Assignment?
After a successful interview where I felt a positive connection with the team, I received a straightforward assignment: to create a simple todo application using React with TypeScript, Mantine, and the optional addition of Zustand for state management.
Having already completed the app—taking into account its simplicity—I opted to incorporate Zustand for state management and built everything using Vite, which I find superior to the traditional Create React App setup.
Now, I’m left pondering whether adding extra features or complexity might be beneficial or detrimental. On one hand, I could present myself as a candidate who truly grasps the nuances of development, showcasing my skills and creativity. On the other hand, there’s a risk that they might perceive me as someone who unnecessarily complicates tasks, potentially increasing development costs down the line.
What are your thoughts on this? Should I stick with the original brief or explore additional enhancements?
2 responses to “Got a simple job interview assignment, should i overkill?”
It’s great to hear that your interview went well! When it comes to tackling the assignment they’ve given you, it’s understandable to have concerns about being too simplistic or over-engineering the project. Here are some insights and practical advice to help you navigate this decision.
1. Understand the Objectives
First, it’s essential to clarify the goal of the assignment. The purpose of this task is likely to assess your strengths in understanding the specified technologies, your coding style, and how you approach problem-solving. Before jumping into additional features or complex structures, consider what they are truly looking for.
2. Focus on Core Requirements
Since the task is to build a “simple” to-do application, start by ensuring that the core functionalities are implemented beautifully. This typically includes:
3. Quality over Quantity
While it’s tempting to add bells and whistles—like advanced animations, complex workflows, or integrations—it’s often better to present a clean, well-structured, and bug-free application. Demonstrating a solid grasp of React with TypeScript, proper use of Mantine for design elements, and Zustand for state management will likely hold more weight than the complexity of your application’s features.
4. Optional Enhancements
If you feel confident and have the time, you can include some optional enhancements that showcase your skills without overwhelming the core functionality. Here are a few ideas:
5. Be Prepared to Discuss Your Choices
If you decide to implement additional features or architecture, be prepared to discuss your choices during a follow-up conversation. Articulate why you think those enhancements are valuable and how they could benefit maintainability, performance, or user experience. This dialogue can be an excellent opportunity to demonstrate your critical thinking.
6. Seek Feedback
If possible, ask for feedback from a peer before submitting your assignment. Sometimes, an outside perspective can help you see if you’re leaning towards over-engineering or if your enhancements genuinely add value.
7. Final Touches
Remember to keep your code clean, well-commented, and organized. This reflects professionalism and attention to detail, traits that potential employers value highly.
Conclusion
In summary, aim to balance between demonstrating your full range of skills and adhering to the task’s simplicity. Your goal is to impress without overwhelming the interviewers with unnecessary complexity. Ultimately, building a well-structured and functional application that you can confidently discuss will leave a lasting impression. Good luck!
This is a great question and one that many candidates grapple with. It’s commendable that you’ve already gone beyond the basic requirements by implementing Zustand and using Vite; it shows initiative and a willingness to leverage modern tools. In terms of whether to add additional features or enhancements, consider the following:
1. **Understand the Company Culture**: Every organization has its own values and approach to development. If the company emphasizes agility and simplicity in their processes, sticking to the brief might be wise. However, if they encourage innovation, adding thoughtful enhancements could demonstrate your problem-solving skills and forward-thinking mindset.
2. **Focus on Quality Over Quantity**: If you decide to add features, ensure they genuinely improve user experience or highlight your strengths. A well-implemented simple app can be more impactful than a complex one that loses focus on usability or performance.
3. **Be Prepared to Discuss Your Choices**: If you choose to extend the application, be ready to explain your reasoning during follow-up discussions. This shows your analytical thinking and your ability to justify your choices, which are valuable traits in a team member.
4. **Consider Future Maintenance**: Think about the implications of any additional features or complexity in terms of future maintenance. Will those extra features make the project harder to maintain or scale? Showing awareness of this can demonstrate a mature understanding of software development.
Ultimately, aim for a balance—enhancing the application thoughtfully while respecting the original brief. Good luck, and I’m sure you’ll impress them with