I was asked to complete a "short" case study for an interview process. It turned into a comprehensive strategic plan that took my entire weekend to draft. I did it because I need the job, but it felt dangerously close to unpaid consulting work. Where do you draw the line between "demonstrating your skills" and letting a company exploit you for free ideas?

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A good rule of thumb is to see whether they're asking you to solve a real business problem or a hypothetical one. If the case study involves their actual product, market, and challenges, there's a decent chance they're just fishing for free work. If everything is hypothetical - and therefore useless to them after the fact - it's far more likely to be a legitimate test to see how you think about and approach problems.

If it’s a legit company I am going all in at this point. Otherwise I’m sitting on the sidelines, might as well give it a good go at it. 4 years ago, I wouldn’t have even considered anything longer than 2 hours of work but it’s a different time now

I draw the line when the output could realistically be implemented without me. A skills demo should show thinking, not deliver free strategy. Next time, I would scope tightly and state assumptions rather than build a full plan.

I’ve been hearing more and more that companies are requiring projects like this during the hiring process. Personally, I’m not willing to do unpaid work. I think it’s important to use discernment and carefully evaluate whether a company is legitimate and whether the opportunity is truly worth investing your time and effort.

Only a case study for an interview I worked on, where I spent 4 days nonstop to have it ready, is where I am currently employed. I wanted something desperately, and I worked for it by putting my head down.

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