I like this. In the last dev organization I worked with, we made an artificial practical coding problem, like adding a small feature to an existing purpose-made codebase. It was nice to directly compare the results of the same task among several candidates, and we were fortunate enough to be authorized to pay them for their time. All great but it was a ton of work... Making the challenge, doing code reviews, debating valid differences in approach or unexpected but understandable interpretations of the challenge...
I think the code review method could tell you a lot of the same things about a candidate and show whether or not people can issue criticism without being jerks.
I think the code review method could tell you a lot of the same things about a candidate and show whether or not people can issue criticism without being jerks.