LinearPaid Work Trial (2-5 Days)
Growth & Marketing
What it tests
Everything — actual work output, cultural fit, collaboration, speed
Format
- 1After initial interviews, offer a paid 2-5 day work trial ($1,000-$3,000)
- 2Candidate works on a real project alongside the team
- 3Attends standups, uses internal tools, ships actual work
- 4At the end: mutual evaluation (both sides decide)
What to look for
- Quality and speed of actual output
- How they interact with the team
- Do they ask smart questions or try to figure everything out alone?
- Would you want to work with this person every day?
Adaptation guide
Compensate fairly (day rate equivalent to their salary). Make it a real project, not busywork. Have a dedicated buddy. Works best for senior roles where the investment is worth it.
Full description
Format:
- After initial interviews, offer a paid 2-5 day work trial ($1,000-$3,000)
- Candidate works on a real project alongside the team
- Attends standups, uses internal tools, ships actual work
- At the end: mutual evaluation (both sides decide)
Time: 2-5 days (full-time commitment)
What to look for:
- Quality and speed of actual output
- How they interact with the team
- Do they ask smart questions or try to figure everything out alone?
- Would you want to work with this person every day?
Why it works: Linear has 96% retention — almost no one hired this way leaves. The mutual opt-in creates strong commitment from both sides.
Adaptation: Compensate fairly (day rate equivalent to their salary). Make it a real project, not busywork. Have a dedicated buddy. Works best for senior roles where the investment is worth it.