The statement, "an applicant must “hack” into our backend to drop their resume. As a result, we don’t get distracted by unqualified candidates" is interesting.
In particular, equating those who don't have web site hacking skills with "unqualified candidates" is quixotical given this is a position for a site for purchasing concert and arena tickets, and is not work circumventing site security.
Going through the challenge I just realize how many damn addons for firefox don't support 6.0. TamperData though still kinda works after fudging the install.rdf. It seriously lags though.
I imagine that the "security" is pretty toothless, but entirely adequate to keep out cargo cult programmers or others without abstract knowledge of web technologies and a problem solving mindset. It's less a security test than an autmated version of Fizzbuzz that good candidates are less likely to find insulting.
just went through the application for shits and giggles (didn't attach anything personal), and yeah it's pretty much what you said, imo a good filter test
We did something very similar to hire our designer with Fanvibe (now we're with beRecruited.com) - we ran a normal job post, then asked everyone to submit a rough mock-up of a mobile site design for Fanvibe in addition to their resume and portfolio. We quickly got to three top options out of 100, interviewed those 3 and hired a designer who is amazing and still works with us. I'm a big believer in "real-world" challenges before hiring someone
EDIT: We likely would have not even interviewed our top 3 choices based on resume / portfolio alone
This is the kind of thing that would screen me out for sure. If you want a mock up for a site design I'm going to get the impression you're trying to "hire" 1000 unpaid designers. Unless you're talking about a 1 hour job, in which case you're getting something pathetic, this is just abuse by the potential employer. Further, you probably hired the 3 worst guys because they probably put in 50 hours on what should be a 1 hour design because they're so desperate for a job (further indicated by the fact that this ridiculous requirement didn't make them look elsewhere). That's also probably why it didn't match up with their resumes.
While most of this is fine, you shouldn't use the work candidates produce as you risk falling into a huge legal quagmire involving IP rights, employment law and exclusivity contracts.
Clever hack... you're gaming the job application process to receive free PR for your company from aspiring applicants who are doing pro bono work. All that free advertising essentially done by an army of interns working on spec, who hope to be the one winner who is offered employment. One downside is that if enough people are applying earnestly, Google could think you're a content farm. :)
In particular, equating those who don't have web site hacking skills with "unqualified candidates" is quixotical given this is a position for a site for purchasing concert and arena tickets, and is not work circumventing site security.