Greetings,
As a fresh web developer, I am actively seeking job opportunities with a focus on PHP or Yii2 training positions. I have had several years of experience both in an office setting and as a freelancer, but my previous projects mainly involved Joomla and WordPress development.
While I understand that my limited experience may not warrant a high salary, I value knowledge and experience over pay. As such, I have submitted my resume at a desired rate of $250.
Recently, I received a test assignment from a potential employer requesting that I develop a Yii2 REST API complete with authentication and testing. Furthermore, I must upload the project to my own hosting server, make it publicly available via Github, and dоcument it with APIDOC.
Is this level of complexity typical for entry-level web developers, or is this an outlier?
Any clarification or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time.

Update: I must clarify my question as the initial one was poorly phrased. The test assignment involves a prototype mobile application featuring 7-10 screens, requiring various server-side interactions as dictated by user actions. However, no additional information such as preexisting data sets or return expectations were provided, which gave me pause.

It seems like you have a relatively simple task ahead of you, involving one model and one controller in a test. The goal is to implement just four URLs: create, read, update, and delete, which should take approximately 20 minutes. Following that, tests for four queries can be done in another 20 minutes. If you're unfamiliar with these tasks, you'll need to learn them independently, as there won't likely be anyone available to teach you on the job.

Authentication for this example can be done easily using APIDOC, with the help of a plugin that generates everything necessary when you add the appropriate comments.

As for hosting, you could try looking for a promo code for a service like Digital Ocean, where entering "radio-t" may get you a free VPS for a month and save you some money.

My suggestion would be to take this test seriously and aim for a payment of more than $250. If you struggle with something this simple, it's hard to imagine how you'd cope with more complex tasks in a work environment without dоcumentation or tests. It's essential to understand the entire structure of a project, and lacking proper dоcumentation can make that challenging.

If you're not keen on lots of coding, there are other areas you could explore, such as becoming a sys admin. Alternatively, you may find that other industries offer higher-paying jobs without requiring coding skills.

If you have experience with Yii2, the task will be simple. However, if you are an intern, it may seem strange. Regardless, it's still important to tackle this challenge, especially if it's part of a test assignment. While it may not be a quick or easy process, the skills you gain from it will be valuable in the long run.

Have you ever encountered a task that seemed difficult at first but ended up helping you grow as a professional? How did you approach it?

A decade ago, having a basic understanding of programming language syntax was sufficient to secure an internship role for $100 a month. One could even use algorithmic concepts learned in school to declare variables and execute basic instructions like loops and if statements. I personally started my journey in programming following this path, but unfortunately it did not work out for me and I pursued a different career direction.

Despite my personal experience, it is widely acknowledged that programming offers promising prospects for those who have a passion for it. However, the nature of internships has also evolved over the years. Nowadays, interns are expected to contribute actively to the development of tools and projects for their assigned companies, regardless of their level of experience.

The test assignment you've described involving the development of a prototype mobile application is indeed quite comprehensive, spanning across various technical aspects of server-side interactions and user actions.
From my experience, it's not uncommon for potential employers to present test assignments that encompass a range of functionalities, including REST API development, authentication, testing, deployment, and dоcumentation. However, the level of complexity you've outlined, particularly for an entry-level position, may be on the higher end of the spectrum.

In some cases, test assignments of this nature are designed to assess not only your technical skills but also your problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and overall approach to project management. Employers often use these assignments to gauge how candidates handle real-world scenarios and unfamiliar technologies. While these assessments can be challenging, they serve as valuable opportunities to showcase your capabilities and potential for growth.

Regarding your specific concerns about preexisting data sets and return expectations, it's completely reasonable to seek clarification from the potential employer. Clear communication is essential for both parties to ensure a mutual understanding of the assignment's requirements and expectations. Requesting additional details or constraints, such as the expected scope of server-side interactions and user actions, will provide you with a better understanding of the project's parameters and help you deliver a more targeted solution.

In approaching the test assignment, I would recommend breaking down the tasks into manageable components, prioritizing key features, and seeking resources or guidance where necessary. Collaborating with peers or mentors can also offer valuable insights and perspectives as you navigate the complexities of the assignment.
While the test assignment may seem daunting, it presents an opportunity for you to demonstrate your adaptability, problem-solving skills, and commitment to learning. Embrace the challenge with a structured approach, seek the clarity you need, and leverage the experience as a platform for showcasing your potential in the field. Good luck, and keep pushing the boundaries of your development skills with each new opportunity.

The fact that the assignment involves a prototype mobile application with 7-10 screens, requiring various server-side interactions, authentication, testing, and dоcumentation, is a significant challenge for any developer, let alone an entry-level one. The lack of additional information, such as preexisting data sets or return expectations, adds to the complexity and uncertainty.

This type of assignment is more suitable for a senior developer or a lead developer who has extensive experience with Yii2, REST APIs, and mobile applications. The employer's expectations seem unrealistic, and it's possible that they are looking for a developer who has already gained significant experience and skills.