this is what i don't get though... why a few hundred why $450? Why not just a stipend? $100, maybe 200. Basically just to be polite, not because they actually owe you anything. Companies simply shouldn't have to pay per candidate they interview. It's not the way the job market has ever worked really. I guess a stipend for pair programming may make it clearer that they're serious so people don't whine, but it seems silly since you should be in the market for a job not a day's work.
As others have pointed out, a pair programming interview costs them money. If you want the job you should be comfortable with an extended interview... lot's of companies do a series of interviews, should candidates be paid for that? As long as you're not naive this stuff isn't too big a deal. If I didn't like it I'd leave -- and I have during a pair programming session once, but it's because it helped me to quickly get a really clear view of the situation. It's as valuable for the candidate as it is for the company, since you get to make a life decision based on actual information. This is a rare gift in a way.
That said, I think half a day max makes more sense.
As others have pointed out, a pair programming interview costs them money. If you want the job you should be comfortable with an extended interview... lot's of companies do a series of interviews, should candidates be paid for that? As long as you're not naive this stuff isn't too big a deal. If I didn't like it I'd leave -- and I have during a pair programming session once, but it's because it helped me to quickly get a really clear view of the situation. It's as valuable for the candidate as it is for the company, since you get to make a life decision based on actual information. This is a rare gift in a way.
That said, I think half a day max makes more sense.