Got an email today that I’m being considered as 1/10 from a pool of 126 applicants (in house role). Before any initial convo, they asked me to complete a writing test. I’m senior level. Thoughts?

Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Take control of the situation with something like “I’m happy to do a writing test but would prefer to meet with the initial team to learn more about your approach before tackling the assignment.” As a rule, I only do exercises if I’ve met them and at least found out if I even want to work there. Gives you a sense of if you actually would like working with the people/want to invest the time. I applied at WIX, a few months ago and they did the same thing to me: said “hey, we’d love to interview you, but first complete this assignment.” They sent over what would have been a full days worth of work. I declined If it were a place I’d kill to work for though, I’d do it without question. Just depends on what you want. Phew..:. Lengthy response. Copywriters....smh

likehelpfulfunny

I think it’s great. We all know in this biz people get tagged onto credits and contribute varying amounts to projects in their books. A writing test is a perfectly logical and unbiased way to evaluate people based on potential, not past opportunities. If you’re a good thinker/writer, this is great news.

helpfulsmart

If you do it, add a clause at the bottom of each page that this is merely for interviewing purposes and cannot be used as marketing material unless contracted by the company

likehelpful

@Copywriter 3 - I read his post several times to try to figure out where he said that he already works there...not sure where you got that from.

Also, I wouldn’t say that this test is “great news.” I worked hard to build a portfolio of good, produced work. So I’d be annoyed by a writing test too. And who’s evaluating this test? What are their standards of “good writing”?

Anyway...depending on my interest level, I’d consider doing this test. But I’ve turned down jobs in the past for this type of thing.

likehelpful

Just do it. Every hoop I ever jumped through only improved my negotiating position afterwards.

likehelpful

Your portfolio should be enough

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Seriously? Do the tests EVER end?

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@cw 3 I’ve never thought of it that way and now I WISH people would give me a writing test. I can write circles around so many seniors I know with books full of lies

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How much do you want the role? While unusual for agencies, this isn't uncommon for in-house roles, particularly in tech-ier companies.

Also is the writing test more of a "we want to see how you think" test or a "how much free work can we get out of this guy" test? If it's the latter, big red flag.

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@SCW1 @Freelance1 both of you assuming I’m a guy made me laugh out loud, but I do appreciate each of your input (seriously)

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Sorry. My thinking wasn’t “copywriter = dude”...I just chose a pronoun and rolled with it:

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@OP my bad — interpreted “in house” role to mean it was a move within your company. But this makes more sense 😂

@freelance I say great news because It shows a willingness to look beyond a portfolio, which we all know can be misleading at times. Whatever you have or have not done really isn’t part of the convo.

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Tell them you’ll be happy to complete the writing assignment. Then send them your hourly rate and ask them what the max is for number of hours you should spend on it

funny

Ask if you’ll be compensated for your time. I’ve found this question to generally get compensation for writing assignments

helpful

for what it’s worth, i’ve done writing tests for in-house brands who have paid me my day rate for the work, whether i got an offer or not. wish more places would do this.

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I only write for a company if I’m getting compensated. If they are asking for free work before you even start working there that’s sending off all kinds of red flags.

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Ugh. I was asked to do this for my current role for a senior position. My site throughly covers my work. I did it because I wanted to relocate and really wanted the job. This was my first in-house job. All that said, this lack of trust was indicative in how the GCD ran the creative dept. You always had to do the job you wanted before they’d give you the title. And lack of trust was the rule of the day. Red flags will fly high if I even get asked that again.

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Plus you already work there. So they’re paying you to do this, right? Aka not free work. 🙃

@copywriter3 no, I don’t work there. I applied and this is part of the application/interview process

@SCW1 I think it’s legitimately, “we want to see your skills” and not “we want free work.” But I don’t really want the role? They have terrible reviews of management on glassdoor and I think I’m just desperate to get out of my agency job.... so, feeling conflicted

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