How to Deal with a Company that Gives You a Big Assignment During a Job Interview

How to say “yeah no I’m not doing all that work for free just so you can reject me for the CEOs nephew lol” 😂➡️ But really — job interview assignments are becoming increasingly common. And what are you going to do? Say no? Be difficult? Shoot yourself in the foot? Of course not! 💁‍♀️

But how do you respond when a company gives you a lengthy assignment? 🧐 🤹‍♀️ This is a tricky scenario, and every case is unique! But here is some general advice.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Composed 

Take a deep breath 🕊️ and maintain your composure. Remember that the interviewers believe in your capabilities, which is why they've assigned you this task in the first place. Sure it’s annoying, but we’re going to find a way to lighten the load ✅

Step 2: Ask for Clarifications

Before you dive in, seek clarity on the assignment's specifics ✏️✍🏼 Ask questions about the motive, gain insight on time awareness and their timeline and inquire about legal protection. This will give you an idea of what they’re looking for. It can look something like this:.

Interviewer (I): "As part of this interview process, we'd like you to tackle the assignment listed below that simulates the kind of work you'd do in this role."

You (Y): "Thank you for the opportunity. I have a few questions regarding the assignment. What skills are you looking to be showcased in this assignment? How much time do you estimate that I should spend on this assignment? What is the deadline for the assignment? Will the deliverables for this assignment be used by the company?

I: "Certainly. We’re really looking to see if you can design social posts that fit our brand. You shouldn’t have to spend too much time on it. We won’t post them, they’re just a test. The deadline is next Friday!"

Step 3: Suggest an Alternative

Now that you have a better idea of what they’re looking for, propose an alternative set of deliverables that showcases the desired result without it being an overbearing number. 💬🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

Y: "Thank you for the extra context. To respect both of our time, I believe I’m best able to showcase my skills with 5 social posts and 2 short form videos. Would that adjustment to the assignment be suitable for your team? If so, I will have them for you by this Friday EOD. 

Some other things to consider when a company gives you an assignment to complete during the job interview process:

1️⃣ First, take into account what industry you’re working in. Industries that require hard skills (like a developer or writer) oftentimes might have tests to get a taste or sample of the employees skill level 💻 If this is the norm in your industry, it’s the norm.

2️⃣ Then, evaluate the ROI. Is this job worth potentially wasting X hours for? If so, go for it 🎉

No job interview assignment should ever take more than 3 hours of your time. ❌ If it does, feel free to ask for an adjustment as a way to respect both of your professional time.

While any professional hiring team wouldn’t give you an unnecessarily difficult or long assignment, some teams might accidentally ask for too much (and some scammy ones may try to steal your free labor). 🤓 So be on guard! 🛡️ (and get everything in writing!)

You got this! 👏

If you found these insights helpful, I invite you to join my Career Workshop Intensive, a 4-part program designed to help you get a job you love ASAP. 🌈