Stop Building "Trello Clones" for Free.
It starts innocently. The recruiter says: "We love your resume! The next step is a small take-home challenge just to see how you code."
You expect a 2-hour algorithm test. Instead, they send you a PDF asking for a "Full-Stack Inventory Management System" with authentication, a database, and a Docker container. They say: "Take as much time as you need, but most people finish in 4 hours."
That is a lie. They know it takes 20 hours. They are testing how desperate you are. And in the worst cases, they are testing if you will build their product roadmap for free.
Here is how to distinguish a legitimate coding test from a "Free Labor" scam.
1. The "Brewdogging" Technique
"Brewdogging" is a term for when a company interviews people just to steal their ideas or work. I once saw a startup ask 5 candidates to each build a different "module" of a dashboard they were planning to launch.
- Candidate A built the Login.
- Candidate B built the Charting component.
- Candidate C built the API.
They rejected all 5 candidates. Then they merged the code and pushed it to production. If the assignment looks like real work, it is real work.
2. The "AI Inflation" Effect
Why are assignments getting so hard in 2025? Because of ChatGPT. Recruiters know you can solve a LeetCode "Reverse a Linked List" problem in 3 seconds with AI. So they panic. They swing the pendulum the other way. They give you tasks so complex and specific that "AI can't do it."
- The Result: You spend your entire weekend debugging a niche library just to get a rejection email on Monday morning.
3. The "4-Hour" Rule
You need a hard boundary. Your time is your inventory. If you give it away for free, you devalue it.
The Strategy: When you receive the assignment, estimate the time honestly. If it takes more than 4 hours, reply with this script:
"I reviewed the scope of this challenge. To do this to my quality standards (tests, docs, containerization), this is a 12-15 hour project.
I am happy to do a paid consulting sprint for this, or we can do a 1-hour live System Design interview instead to review my existing portfolio. Which do you prefer?"
90% of the time, they will ghost you. Good. You just dodged a bullet. A company that demands 15 hours of unpaid labor before you even work there is a company that will demand 60-hour weeks when you do work there.
The Scam Checklist: Legitimate Test vs. Free Labor
How do you know if you should do it? Use this filter.
| Feature | Legitimate Test | The Scam |
|---|---|---|
| Topic | Abstract (e.g., "Build a Tic-Tac-Toe game"). | Specific (e.g., "Build a Scraping Bot for Zillow"). |
| Scope | One core function. | Auth + DB + Frontend + Docker + AWS Deploy. |
| Code Ownership | You own it (GitHub). | They ask for the IP rights or a "Private Repo." |
| Review | They review it with you on a call. | They just say "Pass/Fail" via email. |
The Verdict: If the assignment solves a business problem they actually have, do not do it without a contract.
Frequently Asked Questions (That Recruiters Dodge)
Do I own the code I write for an interview?
Unless you signed a contract saying otherwise, yes. You own the copyright. If a company uses your interview code in production without paying you, you can technically sue them for copyright infringement. This is why smart companies use abstract problems (like "Snake Game")—they don't want to touch your IP.
What if I really need the job?
If you are desperate, do the test, but sabotage the utility. Hard-code the logic. Use a license key that expires in 48 hours. Or watermark the UI with "INTERVIEW DEMO NOT FOR RESALE." If they are a real company, they won't care. If they are scammers, they will panic because they can't use it.
Why don't they just pay me?
Some do. The top 1% of tech companies (like Automattic or Basecamp) will pay you a flat fee ($500-$1,000) for a "Trial Week" or a large project. If a company asks for "Professional Level Work" but offers "Amateur Level Pay" ($0), treat them like a spam caller.
Leon Staffing respects your time. We place candidates based on their proven track record, not unpaid homework. See our open roles.