BettyCrockerr
VIP Member
Two words:
Fuck
That
Fuck
That
- Notice
Somerset girl
VIP Member
I don't know anything about your industry but I have heard some companies use interviewees as a way to generate ideas/do free work. I'd go with your instincts that something feels off.
Even if you got the job, this process might give you an idea about what they expect of employees (ie doing lots out of working hours/scope of role) - is this a company you'd want to work for?
Even if you got the job, this process might give you an idea about what they expect of employees (ie doing lots out of working hours/scope of role) - is this a company you'd want to work for?
Hilarious, but so true.
Definitely. I think I'll withdraw my application tomorrow. I'm doing enough free work for my current employer, that's enough for me.
Ditto what Betty Crocker said.
Red flags galore on this!!!!
judgejohndeed
VIP Member
I don’t know anything about your industry either, and friends have said this ‘work for free’ thing is normal in their industries too, but personally I would never do it. Your employment history etc should speak for itself re your skills and experience. Every time I hear someone going for an interview that requires loads of tailored business advice or ideas it makes me twitchy tbh. Trust your gut.
I think this is a good decision. From reading the posts, there seems to be no selling points to the new post other than it being a step up career wise. Balancing that out with the potential increase in hours and stress doesn't seem to suggest it'll be worthwhile in the long run. Better the devil you know, in some cases.
Hi all,
I thought I'd ask for some advice in case anyone has come across such instance and whether it is really worth the effort.
Yesterday, I got the news that I made it to the second stage of the interview process for a large UK company. This stage entails a case study. From past experience, case studies are generally 15-20 minutes presentations with a couple of slides. However, this company has requested 10+ slides for the case study to be presented in 30 minutes. The case study revolves around a real issue they are currently facing (lack of framework around a specific subject) and have been trying to implement. My case study would basically be "free" work in the sense that it is supposed to elaborate a strategy as to the implementation of the missing framework. Whilst I understand the logic behind case studies, it is a tremendous amount of work for a 30 minutes interview especially as from my conversation with HR, they have rejected all applicants from the last 6 months because no one was a fit (it is accurate, this role has been coming up in my recommended on LinkedIn since March).
In addition to the above, this company operates in an industry I've never worked in and although I do have experience in the subject matter, my experience revolves around corporates, not consumer (the role is geared towards consumers as opposed to corporates). I therefore have to start from scratch and I'm starting to wonder if it is really worth the hassle, especially as work has been very hectic and I simply don't have the capacity to come up with 10+ slides by Thursday on a matter I don't master. I'm already drowning at work and this is adding more stress. I simply wonder I should take this as a sign not to move forward with the role (it's obviously not a C-suite or Head of function role). It is a managerial role (and I have been wanting to climb the ladder for years now as I'm still stuck at junior level), but again, something is a bit off.
If anyone has encountered something similar, I would appreciate any guidance.
Thank you.
I thought I'd ask for some advice in case anyone has come across such instance and whether it is really worth the effort.
Yesterday, I got the news that I made it to the second stage of the interview process for a large UK company. This stage entails a case study. From past experience, case studies are generally 15-20 minutes presentations with a couple of slides. However, this company has requested 10+ slides for the case study to be presented in 30 minutes. The case study revolves around a real issue they are currently facing (lack of framework around a specific subject) and have been trying to implement. My case study would basically be "free" work in the sense that it is supposed to elaborate a strategy as to the implementation of the missing framework. Whilst I understand the logic behind case studies, it is a tremendous amount of work for a 30 minutes interview especially as from my conversation with HR, they have rejected all applicants from the last 6 months because no one was a fit (it is accurate, this role has been coming up in my recommended on LinkedIn since March).
In addition to the above, this company operates in an industry I've never worked in and although I do have experience in the subject matter, my experience revolves around corporates, not consumer (the role is geared towards consumers as opposed to corporates). I therefore have to start from scratch and I'm starting to wonder if it is really worth the hassle, especially as work has been very hectic and I simply don't have the capacity to come up with 10+ slides by Thursday on a matter I don't master. I'm already drowning at work and this is adding more stress. I simply wonder I should take this as a sign not to move forward with the role (it's obviously not a C-suite or Head of function role). It is a managerial role (and I have been wanting to climb the ladder for years now as I'm still stuck at junior level), but again, something is a bit off.
If anyone has encountered something similar, I would appreciate any guidance.
Thank you.
Thank you. Yeah, I think this is their strategy. No way they haven't been able to fill the position in 6 months. They're just using candidates to generate ideas indeed.
I noticed the HR contact sent me emails at 11.30pm on two occasions, which makes me think they certainly overwork their employees. I'm already in a company where there is no work/life balance whatsoever (12+ hours a day being the normal routine), that's enough for me. I don't think this is the type of company I'd like to join.