FAIL Blog

'A great deal of free labor': Candidate withdraws their application after being asked to prepare entire presentation using real company data

Look, by nature, the interview process is going to require jumping through hoops and putting a little bit of yourself out there—and it's a lot like dating in that respect. The whole thing may seem like an unnecessary performance, but like with a first date, the idea is that setting a basic social exchange with some universal ground rules in place allows each party to assess the other party and decide whether there is any compatibility for proceeding further.

Like what you see? Follow our WhatsApp channel for more.

Posted by Brad Dickson
Advertisement

  • So, while candidate assignments during the interview process are a constant source of derision in online discussions, and while I myself frequently rant against them, it's logical to reason that there is some reasonable requirement for an employer to be certain that their new hire is capable of doing the job and that they're not likely to become a sticky cog or a liability. Thus, interview assignments make sense to the extent that they test a candidate's aptitude in the knowledge and skills required to do the job. There's a possible argument for and a bit of a grey area around where the line is. That's where it should end, and without a doubt, asking a candidate to complete an entire presentation or project on real company figures is well across that line.

    During the interview process, this candidate found themselves asked to complete a 10-20 minute presentation of the company's earnings report. Baffled by the interviewer's request to analyze real-life company data without being asked to sign an NDA—and for free—the candidate was quick to respectfully but tersely decline the invitation. They shared their experience with this popular online community.

  • Advertisement
  • 1
    Posted by u/Chicken_Dinner_10191 19 hours ago Withdrew my application and told them to go f* k themselves 2 I had a good interview with Company X, but they are in a location downtown with bad parking and the work from home option was only two days a week. These also didn't even validate my parking. The reason they wanted a second interview was because, the hiring manager said, the candidates were so close that they couldn't make up their minds.
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 2
    They sent over a assignment that was actually a ridiculous amount of work given that I was not yet working for them: Put together a 10-20 minute presentation on this (real life) earnings report. I have done powerpoint presentations for conferences and meetings, it takes hours to prepare something really good. What this assignment says is, "Chicken Dinner, if you come to work for us, we will expect you to bust your ass overtime as the standard and we will not ever consider compensating you fairly
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 3
    I mulled it over that weekend and then told the hiring manager the day of the scheduled interview: "I prefer to withdraw at this time. A second interview seems reasonable, but no test presentations. The assignment is requesting a great deal of free labor. Also, your company did not validate my parking at the first interview." I ass A few days later I was offered a job by another company that is fully remote and no hoops to jump through. I signed the offer sheet, and I start next week.
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • Advertisement
  • 4
    718_chocolate. 17 hr. ago How much you wanna bet they would decide to not hire you, but still use your presentation for themselves? 2.4k Reply Share KristopherAtcheson - 17 hr. ago Some companies do that. Sometimes outside ideas are better than the ones coming from the in- house ones. That's one way to get free labor I guess. Should be illegal, probably is in some states. ↑ 713 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 5
    Nuka_on_the_Rocks 16 hr. ago It is in ALL states. Reporting it to your states department of labor will usually get you reimbursed for the work. 405 Reply Share Jesterpest 11 hr. ago And sometimes a reward on top of that! 92 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 6
    Turtle4184 19 hr. ago I LOL'd at " 863 213 kungpowgoat "These validate my parking" Is that hoops? hoops" Reply Share newfranksinatra. 34 17 hr. ago also didn't even Reply Share 16 hr. ago |- hoops or Reply Share I
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • Advertisement
  • 7
    KatieSu1 19 hr. ago They're looking for someone desperate so they can work them to the bones. Good on you! 211 Reply Share GoldCuty 7 hr. ago Yep, the test was wich applicantt takes the abuse. ↑ 1⁹ Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 8
    os Hzglm3 19 hr. ago Good for you. Preparing a 10-20 minute presentation is a lot of work, particularly as you want to avoid looking foolish as you don't know the company. 240 Reply Share Rough_Instruction112 15 hr. ago I'd slap it together in 3-10 minutes and tell them it was an hour. Might as well test their (in)ability to validate how much time work takes so it's easier to slack off. 63 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 9
    Hzglm3 15 hr. ago . Hire him immediately. He's obviously a straight shooter with upper management written all over him. ↑ 40 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • Advertisement
  • 10
    Sedu 15 hr. ago Curt and professional is 100% the way to do this. Anger gets thrown into a garbage can, but missing out on someone who has the level head to keep cool stings in an office where professionalism is valued. 35 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 11
    svoncrumb 13 hr. ago I once interviewed at a company that could not understand why I did not bring examples of my current work. with me. Ummm. Because that's confidential IP there bud! Would you be happy with me taking your IP to if interviewing at another company. Crickets ... Got up and left. I didn't need to work for scummy people like this. 35 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 12
    JennyNEway 18 hr. ago How did they respond to your withdrawal? 29 Reply Share frozensand 17 hr. ago Bold of you to even assume they replied 82 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • Advertisement
  • 13
    Ichliebebeide82 16 hr. ago This was definitely a good palate cleanser, good ending. hoops lol glad the other company offered you full remote that's awesome 4.↓ Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 14
    danby 10 hr. ago edited 7 hr. ago Put together a 10-20 minute presentation on this (real life) earnings report. I don't mind the occasional prep task but I 100% will not work on real business data for you, hire your own consultants. 6 Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • 15
    IAmFern 6 hr. ago The last programming job I had, when I applied, they asked me to look at a small patch of code and tell them what it does. It took me about 30 seconds. They were satisfied that I could read code. That is all they should be requiring of an interviewee. 4 ↓ Reply Share
    Via u/Chicken_Dinner_10191
  • Advertisement
  • 16
    "A few days later I was offered [another] job." +6 7756
    Via Van Tay Media

Stay up to date by following us on Facebook!

Tags

workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employment-discussion job work coworkers job seeker workplace job interview interview employment in the workplace

Next on FAIL Blog

Scroll down for the next article

Comments

Advertisement

Hot Today

21 Landlord Special Memes for Renters On Their Last Coat of Paint 1
'The three [Karens] were banned': Trio of entitled customers try to get sandwiches for free, guy behind them in line gets them thrown out for good 2
'He agreed to buy me replacements... then backtracked': Brother refuses to cancel sibling's debt after his kids ruin expensive art supplies 3
Teacher sticks up for a star student by unleashing her rambunctious classroom on a control-freak librarian: 'Complete chaos [erupted]' 4
15+ Technologically incompetent coworker stories: 'Old coworker used to print out 100+ page PDF just to scan it all back into email one by one' 5
Mooching in-laws order luxurious meals expecting everyone to 'split the bill evenly', earning a free serving of petty revenge at the next birthday dinner: 'Never splitting the bill again' 6

Follow The Laughs

Terms | Privacy | Security | DMCA Policy
Advertisement