How do I set up a hiring pipeline?
Open a role and choose its Pipeline tab. Start from the recommended stages or add assessments yourself, then set the order and weight of each stage.
Support
Help with ShowWork
Straight answers for pipeline setup, private invitations, assessment workspaces, submissions, and review.
Contact support
Contact support
Use the guidance below for setup, invite, submission, and workspace issues.
Include the email on your account, the company or role name, the invitation or assessment title, the approximate time of the problem, and a screenshot of the error. Do not email source code or other private files unless support gives you a secure way to send them.
Company pipelines
Which assessments can I use?
A pipeline can include coding, take-home, and system-design stages. Each stage has its own candidate brief, timing, rubric, and delivery settings.
Why are invitations still locked?
Finish and publish every required assessment, preview the candidate experience, and finalize the pipeline. The role workspace will show the next missing step.
Can I change a pipeline after opening the role?
You can prepare a newer draft without hiding the active pipeline. Publish the revision only after checking how the changes affect future candidates.
Candidate invitations
Do I need an account to complete an assessment?
No. Open the secure invitation sent by the hiring team. A candidate account is optional and does not replace that invitation link.
How do I return to an assessment?
Reopen the same private invitation. It returns you to the pipeline and, when supported, reconnects you to an active assessment.
When does the timer begin?
Reviewing the pipeline does not start a timer. A stage timer begins only when you start that assessment; system-design device checks happen first.
Where can I see employer evaluation notes?
Private grades and reviewer notes stay in the company workspace. Candidate-facing application reports are product direction and are not available in the current invitation experience.
Assessment workspaces
Coding
Read the prompt, edit and run code, and submit from the coding workspace. Progress is saved during an active session; the server deadline remains authoritative if you reconnect.
Take-home
Download the starter project, work locally with the tools allowed by the company, upload the completed archive, and answer any reflection questions before final submission.
System design
Complete the device check, then use the blank board while narrating your reasoning. Recording and the authoritative timer begin only after the preflight is complete.
Can I switch between stages?
Only one timed assessment can be active at once. Complete or submit the active stage before beginning another available stage.
Files and uploads
How are assessment files handled?
Starter materials and candidate uploads use private object storage. Downloads use expiring access links rather than public file URLs.
What can I upload?
Follow the file type and size shown in the assessment workspace. Limits can differ by assessment, so the current upload screen is the source of truth.
Why was my archive rejected?
ShowWork checks archives before accepting them. The workspace will identify unreadable files, unsafe paths, missing required files, or limits that need attention.
Can I replace a take-home upload?
Yes, while the assessment is still open and before final submission. Check the new upload summary and required-file status before submitting.
Evaluation and review
- A completed stage can enter automated evaluation against the assessment's approved rubric.
- Evaluation status, weighted stage results, and supporting evidence stay in the company workspace.
- A failed or incomplete evaluation is surfaced for attention; it is not treated as a candidate failure.
- Hiring teams can inspect the original work and review manually when automation is delayed or unavailable.
- Automated evaluation is an input to review. The hiring team remains responsible for every decision.
Troubleshooting
My invitation does not open.
Confirm that the complete link was copied from the hiring email. If it is expired or revoked, only the hiring company can issue a new invitation.
My timer or workspace looks out of date.
Reload the invitation once. ShowWork will restore the authoritative server state. Contact support before repeatedly starting new tabs if the state still looks wrong.
My upload will not complete.
Keep the page open, check the file type and limits shown there, and try once more on a stable connection. Save the exact error message if the retry fails.
The company dashboard has not updated.
Refresh the role workspace and confirm you are viewing the correct candidate and pipeline revision. Include the submission time when contacting support.