HackerRank

Overall Opinion: There are many programming jobs open throughout the world and many talented programmers out there who could fill these jobs. But unfortunately the two do not always connect with each other. This is often because many programmers do not fit the model that human resource departments have been trained to seek. HackerRank seeks to break this disconnect by allowing programmers demonstrate to companies that they indeed have the skills to succeed. Instead of having to decipher tons of resumes, companies simply post programming challenges that simulate the many tasks a job candidate would typically have to complete while working there. The challenges test not only a candidate's ability to find a solution to a coding problem, but they also test how efficient their solution is. Companies can afterward use the results of these challenges to select job candidates, which they can interview directly within the site. HackerRank is a win-win solution for both programmers and companies. Programmers with unorthodox backgrounds can demonstrate their competence and companies can find talent that would likely go undiscovered otherwise. Programmers can also use the site to improve their coding skills through completing the challenges. Though the site is not perfect. Some programmers have complained that the challenges focus too much on coding syntax as opposed to producing code that actually does something useful, though this is more of a flaw with the challenges than the site itself. Also, there is nothing to prevent a programmer from cheating, by having someone else take the challenge. Still, the site has lots of possibility and should be explored by both those who are looking to hire people and those looking to be hired.

Pros: Allows companies to find quality programmers without having to endlessly search through resumes Lets programmers with untraditional backgrounds demonstrate that they can do the job Helps programmers improve their coding skills Expedites the interview process Can be used in the teaching process

Cons: The challenges can often be flawed There is nothing to prevent a programmer from cheating by having someone else take the challenge