Posted this on LI earlier today, but thought it might be helpful here because I’m appalled at how many companies are asking for free work in the interviewing process. JUST SAY NO.

If you are interviewing right now and part of the interview process is to "come up with a strategic plan, creative concept, sample content, data set, comms plan, etc." YOU ARE DOING WORK FOR FREE and being taken advantage of. Your ideas, your strategic insight, and your work should ALWAYS be paid for.

likesmarthelpfuluplifting
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

This should be applied to new business pitches too. But never will be until the model is completely overhauled.

like

Director's treatments are critical. I don't know why they have to cost so much. Most of it's just writing.

like

It’s called a resume, work experience and an interview process.
Ultimately, if the company doesn’t like you after trying you out, they can always fire you. This isn’t, like, Europe.

like

Ha, well, that’s where I’m from originally.

Recent IconRecent

It’s one thing to ask for a writing sample or past examples of work, but always say no to current client assignments or give them your day rate for the work in return.

likehelpful

No to paid tests as well. (you are effectively lowering your rate because you price your “tests” lower than actual work)

No free work.

likeuplifting

Tech companies are some of the biggest perpetrators of this. Amazon, Google, Facebook all ask candidates even at the executive level to do online assessments, fake presentations or case studies.

like

Amazon salary is fine but that stock is house down payment money after a few years.

Not sure I agree. I’ve had candidates present work that wasn’t theirs, and hired them into roles where they weren’t able to perform. If you’re genuinely interested in a role and want to be considered, are you willing to put your neck out and help people understand how you problem solve? I can do my own work and I’m too busy to shop for free work, but when I have a lot of it and need smart people on my team, I want to understand how they problem solve so I can trust that i’m adding a person to my team that can help move the business and our team forward.

Part of getting paid is demonstrating the strengths you have that are worth paying for.

funnylike

Then bring them on as a freelancer for a week or a day. No free work!

💯 this.

like

Welcome to the barrel fellow crabs!

funnylike

As someone who is trying to break into the ad industry this is relatable. All I’ve been doing is networking and applying everywhere. The two interviews I had…well both wanted ‘test work’. Like dude look at my book, look at my resume, look at my LinkedIn. I’m qualified.

like

Yeh this is the other side of the coin isn’t it… when you are trying to break in, or even when you are jobless and trying to put food on the table – feels hard to dash your chances by ‘just saying no’.

I kind of feel like there’s more to it right. Like charge a freelance fee for it. Or discuss with the person why they need it. And what do you do if it’s mandatory and company policy? Does it mean you’ll never work there? Is it that simple?

Some people can’t be choosy and this is not helping when companies force this on people.

like

Today, I was asked to do that for the third time in a matter of 6 weeks.

like

I see your point OP but asking a potential employer to pay you to do a test for a job will probably not end in the cotton-candy cloud of pay rates you're imagining. If you don't want to do it, politely move on. They'll eventually find someone who wants the role bad enough who will.

like

And exactly: you’ll move on and they will, too. It never hurts to ask if they’ll pay; ends up being a litmus test of sorts. Do I want to work for a company taking advantage of others in that way? Nope. It’s telling for both sides.

like

@ACD1 Then renegotiate what you’re willing to respond to. Think I’m real time. No one wants to belabor the process. There are risks on both sides. Step into the ring and offer something. There are a lot of good people and interesting candidates looking for work.

like

I’m so grossed out by this. I can understand asking for a body of work, or offering statistics on how a program you developed or worked on made an impact but doing free work is not an ethical interview tactic. Just wow.

like

I've been both on the receiving end of this and I'm doing it when I'm hiring, too. It's amazing how many people straight up lie on their resume and I burnt myself before, assuming that if someone has "senior" or "executive" level experience - they will be at the standard I am looking for. Of course there's those who abuse - for example Spotify was doing "student challenges" for a few years where one had to solve a market penetration challenge, where you signed that they own your idea as soon as you hit submit (i fell for it) and the prize was one unpaid summer internship. That shameful. But if i want to see what my next hire's way of thinking or approaching things is, then I will ask for that draft. Because I can promise you that from a 2 day research, they won't be able to fix an issue or build a strategy i can't.

I’ve been interviewing around at FAANG companies. Happy to share examples of work or do a case study. That’s fine in my book because the few hours I put into the assignment could result in me doubling my income. However, a non FAANG tech co asked me for a 30-60-90 plan and told them I wasn’t interested in unpaid consulting work in the nicest way possible.

I just heard from someone else last week that they were asked to write a 30-60-90 plan and present them to two different groups as part of the interviewing process. WHAT?!? That’s insane. Good for you for telling them no.

Is this more ok in certain European markets where they’re interviewing non-Euro applicants to potentially sponsor and it’s hard to fire someone once hired?

i was given a week to tackle an existing client brief for a strategy role @ Translation, then presented my ideas/thinking (20 slides) in a group interview. 😓

this occurred last year midway through the pandemic. felt wrong but i was out of a job and went with it. didn’t make it past that round, and thankfully so.

Related Posts

Hello

I've been interviewed by @Amazon on 8th July and even after multiple follow up emails, there's no update. Any suggestions?

like

Hi Fishes, Can anyone please guide me what sort of questions are asked in the Nagarro online test? Also if there are any dumps available for the coding questions?
Tech stack: .NET
TIA

Nagarro

like

There are 3-4 job postings on Barclay’s portal matching my profile.

Can one apply for all at the same time?

If a candidate is not selected, would he be eligible to apply again immediately for another role?

like

How does a panel interview feel like? Is there anything that I should be prepare for it? Any tips?

like

I have got an email from IBM regarding Compensation Discussion Documents after completing technical discussion. I've competed PDM discussion as well. Does this mail mean I'm shortlisted?

like

I got a call from KPMG HR for the role of Associate consultant in research team, When she asked me about the expected ctc, I think I quoted less than the market standards but since I am underpaid currently so the amount I quoted was 40-45% hike on my fixed. I have experience of 2.9years
Can anybody please suggest if I clear their interviews will they consider increasing CTC from whatever I quoted becase upon searching for ACon roles they pay much higher than what I quoted.
Please Help

like

Hi Team,

I joined Mindtree on 8th Feb and not got project and I was waiting for last 2 and half month. So, i gave interview outside (tech mahindra) and got selected. Almost 30-35% they said they will give and i am negotiating on it.

My main concern was shift and i have some health issues and unable to continue in night shift in Mindtree and tech mahindra its purely EMEA shift and per project team update.

Shall i switch to tech Mahindra?

My company is looking for a new CFO (my would be boss) and I may have an opportunity to interview him/her. What questions should I ask ?

Gave interviews in multiple companies... Nothing working out inspite of having great interview experiences. There were some interviews which had me and interviewer making so good rapport we were joking even. Infosys tcs Accenture ibm amazon etc

like

Can you share the resources or sites like leetcode to help prepare for interviews for 11 yoe experienced ui developer?

Hi everyone,
Does the gap of one month will affect job opportunities or interview calls for IT jobs especially in current market scene?

Have a phone screen with a recruiter today. Dodged the salary requirements question in the application but I know it will be asked in the phone screen. If they ask me, can I turn the q on them?

like

Anyone with US Trust as a PCA? Looking for additional details in terms of the culture, day to day type of things and how you’re doing there vs. what the recruiter stated was the average?

like

McKinsey & Company What have you guys found to be the best prep for McKinsey case interviews? I have case in point, case interviews secrets, and the provided resources that we get from McKinsey but want to hear some of the things you found that helped you! McKinsey & Company

like

Me when i try to recruit team members for a known circus of a project

Post Photo
likefunny

Hi fishes,

I have passed first round of interview with aws.

Now they are asking me to schedule next round of 4 hrs long interview.
My question is what to expect in this 4 hr round interview what kind of questions will be thrown on my way.

Any help will be appreciated.
Thank you.

like

Anyone looking for referral in Cognizant consulting? I can review your CV and have a conversation with the partner to get an interview as well.

funnylike

I have a virtual interview with Tesla tomorrow for an internship position. What should I wear? This would be first internship, so I’ve never interviewed for a position like this and am not sure how to dress (especially given it’s virtual). Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

like

More Posts

Working remote with next to none human interactions, masking and social distancing in public. When will this end 😩

Post Photo
likefunny

If you were travelling to NYC for ONE day to have one amazing dinner at a restaurant, where would you go? No budget

like

I have a flight at 7a on Sunday but I’ll be out late having fun the night before. If I miss my flight will I have to pay for a new one-way ticket home? Delta and I have Silver medallion.

like

What are the most underrated destinations in Canada?

like

What engineering fields have the most opportunity for someone who wants to travel as part of their job?

like

Has anyone actually found love at work? My best friend started at a new company 6 months ago and she just took an offer somewhere else because she and her senior manager fell for each other. After 6 months she knew it was worth leaving her job for! I've been working at the same place for three years and I went on one date with a guy who didn't even work with me he just worked in the building. What am I doing wrong.

like

Happy Veterans Day to all who have served, to all who are serving and their families. There is no greater sacrifice in that of serving your country. God bless the men and women of the United States military #GodAndCountry.

like

Hi guys,

I've completed my online assessment for
Accenture . How long will it take for the team to call me for further process? Accenture

like

AH trading oopsies on TSLA due to news volatility. 100 shares picked up at $417.82 and $603.33, another 60 @ $511.89 and 50 @ $568.35.

like

Any online volunteering opportunities that need volunteers?

like

I'm coming up on my annual review and looking to ask for raise. Going into 4th year of practice. Any idea on salary ranges I should be looking at for LA nonprofits?

like

Last week I had an interview with Infosys, it didn't go well as per my expectations but i was able to answer most of the questions asked by the panel and they said I will get the feedback from HR team but it's been more than one week and I didn't get any update on this. Yesterday I also wrote an email to the HR who scheduled the interview but still no update.

Should I consider that I am not being selected?

like

As everybody tells u will get more offers during the last one month of notice.

My scenario is i have decent offer but i dont like to join there because of location issue and im looking for jobs in new tech where i have less exp.

Considering this even though if i have less knowlege and if i perform a decent interview process will i get offers at the last moment?Is the offers during the late notice is given based on as he can join early even his performance is average during interview. Pls share

like

Is that something that's available to Teachers in Louisiana?

like

SECRET WEAPON: A creative, thoughtful holiday gift is a freelancer’s secret weapon. To say “thanks for all the work”, be grateful and stay top of mind. What are some of best gifts you’ve heard of?

like

5th September is my last working day at Infosys. Yoe=4+ yrs
Tech= aws devops
I hold an offer of 18LPA from KPMG with joining date of 7th September. (Wfh)
I applied at Workday on 15th May and went through 7 technical rounds of interview and received a verbal offer letter of 21LPA (hybrid)
Now apparently their technical panel "forgot" about the interview and wants to have a discussion again as 8th technical interview. HR says their joining date will be 19th September.

Should i join KPMG?

like
like

How much time is acceptable to bill to admin per day?

like

Thoughts on a manager texting you to ask why you aren’t online Easter weekend when all of your work is completed and another senior who can’t handle their own work decided to randomly send you their returns to review?

likefunny
like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Remember this: you can only do one thing at a time. Make one decision at a time. Be in one meeting at a time. So for everyone overwhelmed about what they’ve got to do today, go out there and gettem!

likeuplifting

Was interviewing for a dream job before COVID, but it was put on hold the week nyc shut down. Should I give up on the job, or will some agencies be able to hire once this ends?

likehelpful

This shouldn’t be news to people but it is.

Post Photo
likeupliftingsmart

Let's play a game. Rate agency positions in order of best - worst to work in based on your opinion and put a star next to the department you're in. Creative, strategy, production, tech, account* 😢😀

like

Would you rather work at an agency or work client side?

like

Thank you all for existing on Fishbowl and for being such a supportive community. It’s been a difficult year, but at the end of the day, I’m glad to have people to commiserate/celebrate with ❤️🙂❤️

like

What are your thoughts on leaving a stable but unfulfilling job for another one during these times?

like

I like everything about my agency except my partner. Do I leave if they don’t have the budget to get me a new one?

like

Is anyone expecting agency layoffs at the moment?

like

Advice for salary negotiations when moving to a city with a higher cost of living?

like

Hello!! Does anyone know if there are any open positions @ mediavest/spark? I'm a temp & was told they don't know when I'll be hired on. So I thought I should apply online instead of waiting. Thanks!!

like

How long were you a junior?

like

Has anyone been able to negotiate anything extra or terms when being laid off?

like

The new Volvo commercials are 🔥🔥🔥

like

What’s it like producing at 360i NY?

like

Can’t find another thread - any good, useful NYC headhunters??

like

What small or mid sized NYC shops are doing good work right now?

like

Those let go by Y&R/VMLY&R - did you get severance and how many months?

like

For all the Q3 and Q4 misses, looks like most of our agencies are projecting big rev increases for Q1. Trump effect 📈 ?

like

I just got into reading books, any suggestions to start with? Which could help to increase media/marketing knowledge.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal