Can I charge a potential employer for design work they're making me do as 'a test'? I'm interviewing for a f/t design position at a large publisher and they want me to do work on spec (ie, unpaid). As a freelancer, they would have to pay me hundreds of dollars for this same work, and it will take me hours. Can I charge them my going rate?

Question

I'm afraid they're just going to use my work and ideas for free. it doesn't seem right. I showed them a full portfolio of work. They should be able to tell if I can do the work or not.

Tarah Keech · Answer

YES. Tell them you can do the test work for that rate. 'Of course! I'm so excited. I can get you a mock / portfolio by [date] and my rate for these spec deliverables is $. How would you like to pay?'
DM if you want to test run / practice it live. Glad to help ya!

Anonymous · Answer

how much do you want the job? how much are you willing to put up with? Is it possible the 'test' is them seeing if you know what you (and your time) are worth? If you feel like they are simply taking advantage of you, then I would push back on either the scale of the request, or the lack of compensation for the request, or both. It's hard to know their intentions but unless you explicitly sign something granting them the right to use your work, they can't publish it. If they want to just steal your ideas then why would you want to work for them. 
Probably the most professional, reserved response would be to ask them their reasoning for asking you to do work for free. They may have a good reason, but it at least opens up a conversation where you can hopefully get a better picture of their intentions. If they seem offended or put off, that's a red flag.

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