I don't have an asshole test, but I do have a collaboration test I use when hiring for design or product roles. I match the candidate with the hiring manager and two peers. And essentially mimic the rapid sketching exercise from a design sprint for a very simple and broadly understood feature. For example: editing tweets. I'm less interested in the quality of the candidates work than how they work. Are the comfortable working out in the open? How do they accept feedback? Are they generous with their own criticism and praise? Will they iterate on ideas they didn't originate? Will they react well to someone else incorporating their best idea into their own designs? I'll also produce a few concepts that are flat out terrible and see how their feedback changes when coming from a supervisor.
Of all the interview techniques I've used over the years, this had been the most predictive and the best recruiting tool. When the right candidate is in there with us we all end up having a great time.
Of all the interview techniques I've used over the years, this had been the most predictive and the best recruiting tool. When the right candidate is in there with us we all end up having a great time.