I applied for a job on Indeed. The employer wanted me to write an essay about my transferable skills and how they align with the job description, So, I had to type up a couple of paragraphs. Then, on a conference call, he was just did a screening. After the conference call he e-mailed me more essay questions with a deadline. My answers determine if I get the second interview. Why does he want to know about my transferable skills? They are listed on my resume.

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When you read the job description, did it say anything about writing correspondences, memos, policies? It sounds like a lot of unpaid time for the amount of time you have to do to write essays for them. Know when you should be walking away.

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This is actually becoming quite common. Employers often ask about transferable skills not just to see them listed, but to understand how you apply them in real situations. A resume shows what you have; written responses and calls show how you think, communicate, and connect those skills to the role. It also helps them assess clarity, problem-solving, and alignment with their expectations. It can feel repetitive, but it’s usually about fit and mindset, not doubt about your resume.

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It's possible the job might involve some writing for them and they are looking for writing samples to get a better idea of your ability to do that. Or it could be to just weed out some people. Potentially to get a sense of critical thinking skills. It's hard to say. It would be a turn off for me though.

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It sounds like he lacks skills in identifying your previous job experience and seeing how it may tie into the role. Assessment questions are fine as they are trying to determine critical thinking and situational awareness. He must not have an HR team.

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Sounds like they aren’t sure about what they are looking for, so making up extra tasks. Depends on how much time this would take me, but companies are giving a lot of hoops to jump through now.

It could be that they're just trying to determine how well you follow directions. Or it's possible they just want to see how coherently and concisely you can write. That will likely be part of the job, of course.

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