I advanced to the next round (yay!) in an exciting, part time job for a small non-profit.

15 Comments

1. Rae WagonerApril 9,2023 at 1:45PM UTC

   That is a big ask for a part time job. Are these two products actual products that the org offers? Because if so, that’s working for free, and in their inexperience it could seem like a great idea to them to gather ideas from several candidates and use that work.

2. Robin ThomasApril 9,2023 at 3:23PM UTC

   I ran across a job posting last week for a writing position which sounded particularly interesting and looked like a great match with my skillset. However, a giant red flag was the company's request for candidates to write an 8-10 page long-form article on a topic that pertains to their area of expertise. Hours of free work. No thanks.

3. AnonymousApril 9,2023 at 3:48PM UTC

   They will poach every candidate’s work and hand it over to the person they hire, to execute on the actual marketing plan. Hard pass.

4. ANDREA RAGGAMBIApril 9,2023 at 4:53PM UTC

   Obviously they have their reasons for the request and yes, maybe they are looking for some ‘free’ work in the process. On the one hand, perhaps this work will serve you in a number of ways- practice and or having this work in your back pocket for another opportunity. Their reasons matter less than your desire to put forth the effort and what’s in it for you if you can’t control the outcome.

5. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 2:05PM UTC

   Red flags all over this. A 3 month marketing plan and this is a PT role?? Please withdraw your candidacy. They want something for nothing and unless you're willing to tell them you're happy to provide those plans and your consulting fee is $X, run the other way.

6. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 3:37PM UTC

   As someone who has also contracted with (and worked for) a non-profit, this rings all kinds of bells and whistles for me. It is one thing to show previous work samples which is understandable yet to ask for a three-month marketing plan upfront? That is actually unpaid work and needs to be expensed, IMO.

   With one non-profit that I worked for, they were very specific in what the scope of the role was, the budget, etc, and honored every aspect of it. Another non-profit with which I contracted had something similar to what you are speaking of and drove that person (not me) crazy as they kept on piling work as they did not understand the scope of that role (communications and marketing). It got so bad that they fired her, and hired two other people, one who was fired and the other up and left.

7. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 4:12PM UTC

   Lots of red flags here. I agree they may not understand your day to day scope of work. I’ve had that happen a few times in my role and it never gets better if it starts this way. For this instance I’d be honest and explain how this isn’t standard and feels like free work and you’re sure that’s not what they’re trying to do so ask how can you show past work in another way to satisfy their request. And maybe agree to give a high level methodology (verbal) overview on how you’d go about completing their request, once hired. If they don’t like it then this isn’t an innocent request and you can find a better position. Good luck!

8. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 4:14PM UTC

   Yes, it is a big request. I would let them know that for consulting work you charge X per hour and you are happy to put together a plan to do that at that rate. To ask you to work before paying you is too much. Prep your references with details on how you would approach these things and let the N-P know they can probe hard on your past successes. Be sure to redact any proprietary items from your work samples including company names.

9. Tiffany BirchApril 10,2023 at 5:46PM UTC

   Sounds like a big red flag request. Once you give them a free three month marketing plan for two different products, they could use it, if you compile. I agree with Anonymous that letting them know that you charge for consulting work and what your fee is. It's important to me to feel valued and respected. This request doesn't appear to honor either. You will draw the right job as you get clear on your deal breakers. May you find much success.

10. Beth SlateApril 10,2023 at 6:59PM UTC

    This was a practice started in the tech industry, however just as these ladies have already shared, it is not really an equitable request. As an alternative to giving them their marketing plan, you could offer to show them plans you created in the past for other companies, without names or too many specifics.

11. AnonymousApril 10,2023 at 8:37PM UTC

    Sounds like you and another "anonymous" poster are vying for the same job.

12. Liz MilneApril 10,2023 at 11:28PM UTC

    Are they perhaps asking how you would handle the two different products, like just an overview?

    Eg, Product A is aimed at older folks, so TV, newspaper and facebook ads, email shots and everything soothing and chilled, while Product B is for edgy youngsters who want to seem cool and trendy: TikTok, YouTube and Insta - reach out to streamers and influencers, ask about product placement on Netflix's [latest must-see show] and so on.

    If they're asking for more than just a campaign idea, I would ask them why they expect you to work for free!

13. M BaazaApril 11,2023 at 1:09PM UTC

    That seems more like asking you to work for them....

    Hope they don't rip off your ideas and then not hire you

14. AnonymousApril 11,2023 at 3:17PM UTC

    This is an unethical request, and unfortunately one that many nonprofits are adopting. It’s not uncommon for nonprofits to include practical work in the interview process, but that doesn’t make it okay. It can be included in an ethical and equitable way. What they are asking you to provide is not a sample, it is a service- especially if the marketing plan is for two products that the company actually markets and sells. Here’s how I would approach this situation:

    Let the employer know how excited you are to be in this part of the interview, but that you value your time and skillset and would like to be compensated for the service you are providing them. Let them know that it will take you x amount of hours to complete this assignment and that your base rate is x amount per hour (don’t sell yourself short).

    The best approach I have seen in a situation like this is where the nonprofit will create an imaginary scenario (in this case, maybe two products that don’t exist or aren’t in the works), give the candidates a designated amount of time to complete the assignment (ie. 2-3 hours), and pay them a total sum for the project ($60 for completion).

    A work assignment like this goes beyond assessing your skills, and is exactly that- a work assignment. Protect yourself and other candidates and advocate for a more ethical interview process.

    Signed,

    an experienced nonprofit development professional

15. AnonymousApril 17,2023 at 12:12PM UTC

    Thanks everyone for all of your wisdom. I have withdrawn my candidacy. Too many red flags!