Take-home assignment
A take-home assignment is a hiring task a candidate completes independently outside a live interview, usually between stages. It is one format for a work sample; a work sample can also happen live.
Choose a task the role actually uses
A take-home assignment gives someone time to work independently on a role-related task. It can suit work that normally involves preparation, analysis or writing. A work sample is the broader assessment method: it may be completed at home or during a live session. OPM recommends that work samples mirror relevant tasks and assess competencies needed on entry (OPM work-sample guidance).
Set expectations before sending it
Explain the purpose, expected effort, deadline, permitted resources, evaluation criteria and whether the output will be used beyond the hiring decision. These are design choices for the employer, not a universal legal checklist. Keep the exercise proportionate to the question it needs to answer, and use fictional or sanitised material where practical.
Respect the candidate’s time
A large or vague task can reward candidates who have more free time rather than those who have the relevant skill. If the task is taking longer than intended, narrow it or reassess whether it belongs in the process. A follow-up conversation can clarify assumptions and contributions, but it does not replace assessing the submitted work.
Record what the submitted work demonstrated and what remains uncertain.