Take Home Assignments for Interviewing?

44 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 7,2023 at 9:35PM UTC

   I’ve heard of this, but I’ve only been asked to provide a small portfolio of my work in Change Management. The difference was that it was work product I’d already created. I’ve heard people talk about some time consuming pre-homework that they’ve countered with something more reasonable, but other than concerns about providing unpaid product, that’s all I’ve heard.

   Hopefully, someone else in the marketing field will have better insights for you! Good luck!

2. Dawn LadislasSeptember 10,2023 at 6:06PM UTC

   That sounds normal. I've been asked to submit to them work I already did, which makes sense. I lock it too and none have complained. They just wanted to see what I can do.

3. Barb HansenSeptember 7,2023 at 9:46PM UTC

   TL:DR Trust your gut, and ask if there are others ways to show your skills without spending hours working for free. :)

   Here is my take on homework during interviews:

   During the first interview, I ask if a "take home" assignment is going to be part of the interview process. If yes, I ask the depth/breadth of that assignment. Depending on the answer to that question and how much I want (or need) the job, I will either recuse myself from the interview process or I continue on.

   I generally don't like to do take-home assignment that are going to take longer than a few hours, but if I really want/need the job and the take-home assignment is longer than that, I'll keep moving forward in the interview and talk to the hiring manager about the assignment:

   --what skills are you looking to test?

   --are there other ways I can highlight my skills without doing a 40-hour project?

   --would they be willing to hire me at a reduced rate for the week that it's going to take me to complete the project?

   I have walked away from interviews that required large take-home projects. The last one I walked away from was estimated to take a full week to complete (like a full 40 hours if not more), and I had to present my findings to the executive suite and the board. I was expected to present a one hour presentation and I needed to be prepared to answer questions and defend my ideas. I was going to have to sign an NDA to view their financials and their analytics. The project included a full product roll-out plan including customer interviews, financial models, competitive analysis, risks profiles and a new set of features. "Ah, no thank you. I don't know your product suite, I can't learn it in a week and you're not getting my ideas and suggestions for a full product plan for free"

4. AnonymousSeptember 8,2023 at 1:35PM UTC

   I would give this a hard pass - unless they want to pay you consulting fees - this sounds like a cheap way to get free work to a specific problem they want help finding the answers to. A small test/assessment is okay but something more than this like as described in this scenario would have had me running for the hills. Good luck

5. Kelleri RiegelSeptember 8,2023 at 3:35PM UTC

   Wow! That last one is intense!!!! Good for you for saying no!

6. Dawn LadislasSeptember 10,2023 at 6:04PM UTC

   Wow, that one is horrible, and they are definitely looking for free work. That's a job and actual employee should do (and be paid), not a candidate.

7. AnonymousSeptember 8,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

   The fact that it’s specific to the business gives me pause, making me wonder if they intend to use your ideas regardless of the interview outcome. I politely would decline and move on.

   The trend of requiring unpaid work during the interview process is becoming extreme. Conducting a brief, on-site exercise during an interview makes sense, but spending hours of my time working on something, uncompensated, is a hard no for me.

8. AnonymousSeptember 8,2023 at 2:54PM UTC

   I recently had this happen to me - for an executive assistant role, no less <insert eyeroll here>. They wanted me to plan a day with two site visits, lunch and swag included.

   It was less then an hour of my time (just a quick mock up since I didn't really know the business, just what I would have done in the situation), HOWEVER: I watermarked the pdf and wouldn't you know - I didn't move forward in the process, lol

9. AnonymousSeptember 8,2023 at 4:54PM UTC

   My shocked face that they didn't move you forward :-| Their loss.

10. Kelleri RiegelSeptember 8,2023 at 3:33PM UTC

    I've been given these assignments a few times. Skills assessments for highly skilled jobs are pretty important to hiring, and in my experience they come one of two ways: A take home test or a rapid fire interview/workshop kind of deal.

    I actually prefer the take home. I'm introverted so I do better work if I take some time to pause and reflect. Trying to deep-think in rapid succession is not my favorite thing.

    As far as how I've approached them, I typically will ask for a time box from the prospective employer and then spend only that amount of time on it. If they don't give me a time box, I will spend 2 hours or so on the assignment.

    Usually if I'm not given a specific format, then I deliver slides. I just tend to think better that way.

    I hope that helps.

11. Christine LarsenSeptember 8,2023 at 11:55PM UTC

    Very helpful. thanks

12. AnonymousSeptember 8,2023 at 4:48PM UTC

    If this was a first interview, hard pass. I don't work for free. Too many companies use this to "borrow" (aka steal) ideas. Smart poster who watermarked her work. No shocker they didn't move her forward in the interview process.

13. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 12:12PM UTC

    This is a huge red flag unless they are willing to pay you.

    Too many companies are trying to get free work from "candidates" that they have no interest in hiring. The only jobs where I've said ok to this is when they made it clear in the job posting that this was part of the process AND that they would pay me for the work done.

14. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 12:47PM UTC

    This…absolutely!

15. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 12:21PM UTC

    I’ve declined such requests (after 9 interviews) in the past and the company realized they were being unreasonable. Even when I got the offer I declined because I had not felt they’d respected my time and so why would they as an employer.

16. GirlBossanova934974September 9,2023 at 12:43PM UTC

    For these sorts of requests, you should delineate whether or not this assignment is to judge your skillsets or you are being asked to do "free work". If the company hands out an assignment which is about your past work or to judge your past work, that is fine in my book. HOWEVER if they are just trying to get free ideas, then I would end the job search with this company. It is a hard NO! In my view, companies who ask for free work and/or try to steal ideas are already showing themselves for what they are. Unscrupulous and unethical and you should run as fast as you can from these people. RUN! This sort of unethical behavior will always sink a company. It is only a matter of when. I have seen it a few times.

17. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 12:44PM UTC

    I was under the impression from working in HR recruiting for years that if you give those requests to one you have to give them to everyone applying, but it isn’t measurable hence, I thought it wasn’t legal.

    I’m not sure maybe somebody else can weigh in on here.

18. Nancy ExniciosSeptember 9,2023 at 1:12PM UTC

    I had one of these! I had three interviews one by phone and then two in person that required and hour drive each way. Then they popped that they wanted a project for me to present- it would have taken about 20 hours. I gave them my rate of pay for contract work as this was intellectual capital development and I don't present ideas for free. It was something that could be reused in the future and I said my time and efforts are valuable. They didn't seem shocked. I figured if this was the way they were growing business, I ethically would have problems with them in the future. They didn't want to pay and I chose not to start working for free. See ya!

19. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 1:33PM UTC

    I was asked to complete a take home assignment. I was asked to create a 90-day training plan for myself if I became an employee. I saw this request as something that I would benefit from and didn't hesitate. But your request sounds like a fishing exposition for intellectual capital. I agree with the other comments.

20. Fallon DavisSeptember 9,2023 at 1:44PM UTC

    I’m a creative so I have a portfolio and have been in the industry for many years. I won’t do assignments. If you can’t make a decision from my portfolio and interviews then you don’t deserve me. I don’t have time to waste.

21. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 5:51PM UTC

    Good for you. Not only are you a valuable creative, you have a spine. Very valuable.

22. Dawn LadislasSeptember 10,2023 at 6:00PM UTC

    This. Honestly, those who are doing this, likely won't get hired; no one will. I too have both an online and traditional portfolio.

23. Sarah LarsonSeptember 9,2023 at 1:55PM UTC

    While I also have a portfolio I do understand the nature of a take home assignment and would give them depending on a role I was hiring for. Therefore, I put a time limit on it. I don’t spend more that 30 minutes to an hour. For me, it’s typically information I can use elsewhere or I can learn from the feedback.

24. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 2:27PM UTC

    I know a lot of the sentiment here is “don’t work for free,” and that is fine if you already have a job to fall back on. However I’ve been Job searching for 7 months (also in marketing) and I don’t know what’s going on right now but projects seems to be the norm. I have 10 years of experience and 5/6 interview processes I’ve been in have asked for projects when you get closer to the end.

    If you don’t need the job then great you have every opportunity to say no thanks. But if you do need the job, you don’t have much of a choice here. If all the other candidates are doing the assignment and you are not, where does that leave you? That’s been my predicament 5 times so far, and just sharing portfolio work doesn’t cut it when it’s a specific job with a specific kind of work they want to see that you can do. Unless companies stop asking for free work as part of the interview process, I don’t think we can keep acting like this is not the norm. It’s unfair and it should be illegal, but it’s very much the norm right now and doing it depends on how much you need the job.

25. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 5:27PM UTC

    I have been asked to complete an assignment/presentation for four different jobs in the last year. My time spent to complete ranged from 1-6 hours. I believe they were not trying to steal my ideas, but to evaluate my skillset. The tasks ranged from evaluating a policy, completing a "thought" project, presenting a PP on something related to the job, and watching a YouTube video and writing a case note about it. I have many issues with this, however I needed a job and would not refuse to do the task. I never received feedback on the assignment (annoying), and 3 out of 4x I did not go any further in the hiring process. This week I was asked to complete an assignment, which was due within 1 hour of a panel interview. I didn't learn about this until the very end of the interview. As it turned out, I had the time in my schedule to complete it, but what if I didn't? I wish companies would stop doing this, but they seem to be in the drivers seat right now. Between this and the multiple rounds of interviews, it has become such hard work to find employment. Shouldn't my resume and references count for something?

26. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 6:42PM UTC

    I work in HR/Legal and am not a fan of this new process anywhere. To me it seems like the hiring team is trying to get some kind of signal as to whether you can work under pressure. If it is an assignment that takes an hour that is fine. If they ask you to send it to them in advance then be sure to make it NON-copyable so that you are not working for free. If it is something that you have to show from a previous employer be sure to redact that companies name because you might be under an NDA from there. Generally you have to do these things but think long and hard if that is a place you want to really work and check the glassdoor and blind reviews ahead of your doing so to see if you can assess others experience in doing same. Good luck. IMHO the best employers ask well crafted questions about your work experience and past history and put you into scenarios via questioning in an interview based upon behavioral things that will do just the same. The only other situation I think works is when they do something in a work-with interview vs. homework. After all when you are an adult and fully employed- school is out! No homework needed. If you are an applicant remember you are the seller in this relationship, and if you are a recruit or referral you are the buyer and you can refuse to do this. Decide which one you are and then you can choose to do or not do.

27. AnonymousSeptember 9,2023 at 7:05PM UTC

    I would NOT do the assignment because the company is given a "freebie" and I have read numerous complaints regarding this practice. I have been a victim of this as well as ideas stolen by executives who use interviewing process to steal ideas for potential solutions/projects. As a candidate, I was excited to show my best self but, in the meantime, the hiring manager and others who participated in the interview process had NO INTENTION OF TAKING ME SERIOUSLY. I had one executive say to me DURING THE INTERVIEW, these are such great ideas I need to consider and then GHOSTED ON ME.

    DO NOT DO ANY ASSIGNMENTS AT ALL. If they want to test you, they can pose situational questions during the interview.

28. ToccaraSeptember 10,2023 at 1:41PM UTC

    So how do you respectfully say no to them without auto rejection?

29. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 1:51PM UTC

    Great question, I don’t know how to do that

30. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 9:27PM UTC

    If I was able, I have said, "due to NDA", I will have difficulty in completing assignments (if this applies). They cannot have you break the law or contractual obligations.

31. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 11:21PM UTC

    this would only work if you have a job. If you don’t, what grounds do you have to stand on to say no? If you need the job, you end up doing the assignment. And that’s what they expect, it’s praying on a candidate’s desperation.

32. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 1:07PM UTC

    I just completed a two-hour, timed “assignment” as part of the interviewing process. It was basically answering 13 essay questions in two hours. While I don’t agree with this method of testing an employee, like others have said it’s part of the new normal and if you want a job you have to jump through (stupid) hoops.

33. Christine LarsenSeptember 10,2023 at 1:50PM UTC

    what field you are in?

34. Aisha LeachSeptember 10,2023 at 11:30PM UTC

    Human Resources.

35. Suzanne Luscombe ChamblissSeptember 10,2023 at 1:43PM UTC

    While I don't agree with the concept of long testing process, I understand why some companies have gone that route - and why come candidates choose not to complete the process.

    Given your field, Marketing, I would NOT complete any task directly related to the company's products or services! Don't give away your creativity, experience, and knowledge during the interview process in any form the company could utilize later, without you.

36. AnonymousSeptember 10,2023 at 2:21PM UTC

    I've had 2 versions of this: 1. A 24 hr take home where I had a to recreate 3 existing web pages and add any components I made on their design system. The other was a live 2 hr whiteboard challenge where I was given a prompt and had to design as many mobile screens as possible. Neither if very enjoyable, but they want to see if you can actually do the work.

37. Dawn LadislasSeptember 10,2023 at 5:54PM UTC

    I used to work in marketing, and these were common, but in most cases are scams preying on job hunters. Don't get me wrong, I get they want to see your work, but work in your portfolio (hardcover or online) used to be okay. Now, they usually ask for free labor and have no intentions of hiring you. If they ask you to do things like a presentation (which is common) and ask you to create a training, make sure you watermark it. I always brought my laptop, so it was never on their site. That way, if they genuinely want to see your talents and not out to scam you, then you are not scammed. If they want copies, make sure you protect them. I know way too many people who did a project and found out the company used it. In one case, a guy I know applied for a company, and they asked him to revamp the website. He did and sent the files, only to find out a month ago they changed the website to the files that he sent. They never had any intention of hiring him or anyone else.

38. Paul PetersonSeptember 10,2023 at 9:41PM UTC

    This is a red flag for me. If the company asks for this kind of assessment, what does that say about the company? Does it show a lack of faith or trust? Does it show that they don't value you beyond your ability to do a task (and not your ability to learn or grow)? For me, this kind of opportunity doesn't sound like a good cultural fit.

39. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 12:09AM UTC

    I would say it depends on the work they are asking you for.

    I give my analyst candidates, some public data, then ask them to analyze and create a few slides of recommendations. Then they present it to us in the interview.

    The goal being I am trying to find storytellers who can crunch data, then turn it into action as well as being a good presenter.

40. AnonymousSeptember 11,2023 at 10:32AM UTC

    I work for a company that requires this for certain roles but we tailor it to the role and make sure that we're not asking them to do work that will help us: a presentation on a topic of your choice for sales and training people, a request to see how organizing an event would be handled for an events coordinator, a request to review a portion of a contract (we had already reviewed) for a compliance specialist. It really does weed out people who think they're a match but don't have the specific skills we need and I ask that they not spend more than 1 hour. I also mention it in the initial phone screen.

41. Megan LeasherSeptember 11,2023 at 12:35PM UTC

    I have been asked to do this for job interviews. What I was given was always a case study scenario that was very relevant to the role for which I was applying and had to deliver a presentation on what I would do in the scenario. I find them a good testament to what the role would be like.

42. PASeptember 11,2023 at 5:30PM UTC

    I will not work for free under any circumstances. I will not jump through hoops for any job or position. Keep looking for something else. Who has time to review all this stuff anyways from potential candidates? I've been a CFO and in charge of HR and have interviewed many candidates. In my opinion, if I have a gut feeling that someone will work out (plus their qualifications) then I hire them.

43. AnonymousSeptember 13,2023 at 3:16AM UTC

    As a design manager, I am against take home assignments. I think if anything just create a tasks or assignments during an 1 hour interview to see how them will respond.

    I have had an interview process that lasted for 3 days, 4 sessions and the last person, the director didn’t want to hire me, but all the other people including the hiring manager does. It was a total waste of everyone’s time as I am sure they have to do the same process with multiple candidates. The director later got fired for misconduct.

44. AnonymousSeptember 15,2023 at 7:14PM UTC

    I think these kinds of things can be a great way, for both you and the hiring company, to get an idea of what the position requires. You can see what their asks might be (how detailed are the requests, do they set reasonable and achievable expectations?) and they can see if you are able to meet their expectations for skills and deliverables. I know a lot of people see this as asking people to 'work for free' and some companies may be doing just that. However, having hired someone who wasn't quite what they promised they were makes me wish I would have given some kind of test ahead of time.