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I had the exact same thing happen for a small agency with a large telecomm client. They sent over a three page document with four different assignments on it. It was presented as “wanting to get the right person for the role.” I promptly passed
Lol I don’t work for free, boo boo.
OP, I'm writing this off the cuff so take gist / rework however it makes sense to you to make yours but I'd go along the lines of:
Thank you for your continued interest in me for the position. As I'm currently employed elsewhere and not part of your full-time team yet, I feel I may not be able to fully showcase my best thinking this deserves in this format. Is there a specific concern you may have or something that you feel is not fully reflected in my book that I can help address? Or I'd also be happy to discuss a potential short-term freelance assignment if you're interested to help advance my candidacy and ensure I'm fully addressing your request
"Hmm, i have to say I don't really feel comfortable with that. I could do a day of freelance for you if you'd like but I've worked hard for many years on my portfolio, to showcase my ways of thinking. I hope this isn't a deal breaker!"
Something like that? My advice is don't do it. It's rude of them to ask, I would find it insulting too.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuck that.
Given I already have a Sr title, my book should be the proof of my skill. Also, I don’t have time for this. If I was a freelancer providing this work I’d be paid A LOT for it. Also it feels inappropriate in general that they’re asking. So how do I politely decline?
I’d just say, “sure I’d be happy to do that. My freelance rate is $XXX per hour.” (Be sure to double your normal rate.)
Are you still interested in the job at all?
If not, that's easier — just take yourself out of the running ("I have other offers and don't want to move forward", etc). You can tell them specifically why if you want.
If you do want the job still (but why?) ... that's trickier. Maybe you can ask if this is standard procedure for them (red flag if so). If not, ask if there is something that's missing in your background or book that's making them ask for this extra work? Maybe they're willing to bring you on freelance for a couple weeks and try you out. Either way asking for free work for a current client is bullshit on their part.
I fell for this once. They ended up using all the work I did but said they didn't think it'd be the right fit. Didn't get the job. Didn't get paid. I was pissed, but it ended up being a learning experience. I'd never do it again for free. If they don't understand why you don't want to work for free, I'm pretty sure you're going to be miserable working for them. Garbage company that year you like that when they are trying to impress/recruite you will treat you like garbage as an employee
If you think you can squeeze in some concepting time, offer them a freelance rate. Otherwise, just say you’re looking for a full-time position and your current job takes too much of your time, thus you’d be unable to offer quality FREE concepting.
Here are your concepts, 🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕
Thanks for all the advice guys! Glad I’m not alone in feeling like this is absolute bullshit. Will update later.
Your book should be enough or it shouldn’t, ya know? What agency?
If you currently work at an agency there’s a huge change your contract stipulates you’re not allowed to do work from competitors while employed
Thanks @cd1. The trick is crafting a truly non offensive response that essentially still reads, “NO” and doesn’t hurt my chances of getting an offer. But I feel like inevitably, it will.
Bright blood red flag. No way.
I like @CD1's approach. Something about your current job not giving you much time for freelance. A good thing to mention would be how clients pay agencies for pitches, and this would be a similar deal. "If we could agree on a day rate and an NDA if necessary, we could treat this like a pitch--I'm sure you like to be compensated for your time in those situations."
I also like a line about "Hope this isnt a dealbreaker." It suggests you're willing tonwork with them but with boundaries.
But I agree you should just feel insulted and not wanna work for a place that would ask that question.
Struck SLC did this to me! Said it was between me and another candidate and asked us both to put together a deck with two directions of 360 campaigns for a current client.
...let that amount of work sink in....
I tried to explain that I really didn’t have the time because I was traveling for work that week. They basically said do you best.
In the end I threw some last minute crap together and did not get the job. But I was ok with that.
Big fat NO to free work. What CD1 said is exactly what I would say with a mix in of CW1. If you want to clarify the “no” you can say something like: Thanks for understanding where I’m coming from.
Is it mekanism? Mekanism makes people do this silly bullshit.
That's tough. I really REALLY hate when a company asks you to do a "homework assignment." I would tell them that while I admire them as an agency I don't have the time to do free spec work to "see how you get to your solution." What is this, the SAT?
Also if you were me you'd end it on a very passive aggressive note so maybe don't take my word for it!