Ask HN: Can I ask for a coding interview do-over?

[bocthrowaway]

Throwaway account.

I've been interviewing with a young startup for the past week about a coding position. Everything had been going swimmingly until yesterday, when I was asked to take a timed coding test via email.

On that test, I choked.

I knew what I needed to do, and I knew how to write it, but I just could not get my code working for some reason. I looked at it again a few hours after time was up, and with the clarity of not being timed, I was able to re-write the whole thing properly in about 15 minutes.

I have been obsessing over this interview since it ended. I can obviously do the exercise, but that won't show in the code I submitted to them. Can I ask the company for a do-over, or is that too unprofessional?

[ColinWright]

Look at it from their point of view. If you're a brilliant programmer who will fit well with their team, they will (most likely) want you. So what characteristics should you exhibit, and how will you communicate them effectively?

If you can contact them and show them what they want, probably they will listen. Don't think about this from your point of view, think about it from theirs.

So what is your analysis? What conclusions can you draw from your analysis? What actions should you take based on those conclusions?

What do they want, and how can you make them see that you have it?

[jorgenhorstink]

If you're dating a girl, and for some reason you choke during the conversation in a nice little bar. If you really like the girl, you'd ask her for another chance... :)

You have little to loose. You have a no now, and might be able to upgrade it to a yes :)

[canatan01]

It also show dedication and not giving up quickly on your part. I think important traits to have as an employee.

[HardyLeung]

It doesn't hurt to do that. Be frank about it. If done right they might even see this as a positive.

[zbuc]

Just let them know what you said here, and send your revised code to them. Nothing to lose. I was in a similar scenario before(C programming exam and no C experience for the previous ~5 years) with a large networking company and they were gracious and accepted my re-do as showing my enthusiasm.

[borism]

why was the coding test timed?

this smells like a disaster from the outset.

[envex → borism]

I think it's more to test how they work under pressure. Does the applicant choke when stressed?

[SamReidHughes → envex]

It's also because if you make it untimed, some poor shmuck will spend 8 or more hours trying to finish it when they don't have a chance.