I apologize. It was I who was mistaken. I overlooked that the basic question takes place at home.

This is, I think, equivalent to the FizzBuzz problem that was going around a few years ago. I can see how it can be called homework. I assume it's a screen because a lot of people apply who have no clue on what data science is actually about. If my assumption is correct, the it should take no more than 15 minutes or so, since it's supposed to be "easy."

You write now "and takes place over several days". Earlier you wrote "multi-day long technical screens with multiple homework assignments." These are two different, though related things. My response was to your first description, not your updated description.

Here are the differences I see. 1) the AirBNB text says "We send a few datasets to them and ask a basic question; the exercise should be easy for anyone who has experience." The use of 'the exercise' looks like it's one homework assignment, while you say it's "multiple homework assignments". This is a minor point, but still a difference.

2) the AirBNB text says that the in-house challenge is a day long ("They then have the day ... At the end of the day"). That is the main technical screen. The remaining day is a non-technical screen. I agree that it's a multi-day long process, but only one of those days is for technical screening. This is why I disagree with your initial characterization of "multi-day long technical screens", though I agree with your new characterization of "takes place over several days".

> "I'm specifically talking about other technical fields that are highly mathematical and that have a lot in common with Computer Science. ... so I don't really care about the interview process for hiring a Chemist."

I was addressing your earlier statement "What is it about applying the same techniques to tech that makes them special and some how harder to measure?"

In comparing your two sentences, I'm confused. You first imply that CS is "tech" and somehow special, and different from statistics and the other fields. But now you say they have a lot in common? What does "special" even mean then?

Most of CS, by the way, has very little mathematics in it. Surely less than chemistry does. Why do you think CS is "highly mathematical" when most CS departments require only basic calculus, discrete math 2, and perhaps an intro. statistics course? (Some specialized subfields of course require more mathematics.)

I'm "harping" on the topic because you think CS is somehow special, when my experience from physics, chemistry, and bioinformatics says that the CS hiring method is pretty standard.

I believe the hiring process in mathematics is also similar to the science fields I just listed, and different from what you have described.

For example, http://www.siam.org/pdf/news/1847.pdf describes the process for "recent PhDs who are looking for positions at undergraduate-focused schools". It includes a strong teaching component, so the interviewees are expected to put together a talk with "the daunting task of showing that you can connect with
an audience of undergraduates and non-specialists while simultaneously making it clear that you’re a serious mathematician, knowledgeable about your area and with substantial work to your credit."

http://blogs.siam.org/how-and-why-to-ask-good-questions-duri... says "In the U.S., the typical interview for a PhD-level position lasts a full day or more, including a one-hour seminar and one-on-one meetings with researchers and/or faculty as well as managers/administrators." This is also different than your description of "You make your presentation and everybody that has arranged an interview with you can come by and hear your talk."

Am I incorrect? Is there a centralized system, perhaps at SIAM, for mathematics papers and job finding which is similar to what you describe for economics?