Job asks for free labor from applicant before they even interview: 'I'm dumbfounded by the audacity'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
May 14, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Would you do work for a job before you were even given an interview there?

When you're applying for a job, you put a lot of yourself on the line. You make sure that your resume is up to snuff, and you pour your heart into a cover letter. It's a vulnerable thing, to constantly be pitching yourself to someone. You hope that they like you or think that you have potential. But you have to be careful that you're not taken advantage of by this system. The job market is not great right now, and it doesn't take a lot to see that. The employers have the power, and sometimes they choose to wield it in ways that are detrimental to you as a job seeker. You have to be vigilant for these and make sure that you don't end up in a situation where you're being taken advantage of. It can happen more than you think it might. That's what happened in this story. 

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  • A young woman looks confused while working on a laptop
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Asking for free labour from applicants before setting up an interview or even calling first...

    The task: A 7-second reel promoting Aperitivo Fridays at our distillery. The media: Here's a Google Drive folder with photos and footage you're welcome to use. You don't need to use all of it, use some or lots upto you, use any tool at your disposal and you're free to shot or create your own to supplement or replace what's in there. Edit in whatever tool suits you. (Branding guidelines also on gdrive link) The vibe: Aperitivo Fridays is our Friday night bar on the distillery floor. Aperitivo cul
    via Princess-Pancake-97
  • Just received this email from a job I applied for and just dumbfounded by the audacity to ask for free labour from me, and who knows how many other applicants, without even having the decency to speak to me over the phone or meet me in person first.
    via Princess-Pancake-97
  • Maybe this is just the norm now and I'm overreacting, idk, but it feels outrageous to me to think it's okay to ask that of someone you can't even be f ed having a conversation with.
    via Princess-Pancake-97
  • It feels like they think, instead of paying someone for their time and creativity, they can just trick 347 people to make reels for them *for free* instead. It feels like there actually is no job and this is just a scam to get out of paying someone for a service. Interested to hear other people's thoughts on this.
    via Princess-Pancake-97

  • Have you ever been asked to do a test assignment for a job that you've applied to? It's not such an uncommon practice, but it might be one that needs to be interrogated, especially if you haven't had an interview yet. You don't want to end up in a situation where they're squeezing you for free work, and you don't have any recourse. You would hate to see your work on their website and realize that you just did some unpaid labor. That's what a portfolio is for. They should be able to assess your skills based on your application, and not take up too much of your time or energy. Those are precious billable hours, and you shouldn't waste them. If, later down the line, they've already met you and want to see more, then that's a different story. Maybe they even offer to compensate you for your work. But in this story, that's not what happened. Keep reading to see the email exchange and see what you think about it. 

  • Exhausted woman is using laptop then touching head feeling tired and stressed. Hard-working youth, workplace and stressful job concept
    via Vitaly Gariev

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Commenters gave ideas on tactics to protect yourself in this situation.

    Subject_Spell_9799 Watermarks all over
    via Subject_Spell_9799
  • DigitalRoman486 Do it but slap a big semi transparent "Not for commercial use" over the top of the video. If they object then just casually say "oh yeah, that is standard on this stuff because this is a trail task right?"
    via DigitalRoman486
  • III-Independence6422 They want you to audition for a job that probably doesnt even exist. Classic.
    via III-Independence6422
  • meeeee01 If it were me, I would just pull out. However if you have some time and want to mess with them, do what they are asking but do something to ensure they cannot use your work. Put some sort of copywrite logo on it or send them a contract for your services etc
    via meeeee01
  • pmbpro "...we'd love to see 'a piece of work'..." THEY should look in a mirror. *smdh*
    via pmbpro
  • JustmyOpinion444 Never give a company free work. You didn't ",make it past" 347 applicants. Either the company didn't get enough "good" adverts, or 347 people said no to unpaid work. Or, maybe, those other people did 7 second adverts for other days of the week.
    via JustmyOpinion444
  • Send them your hourly contractor rates for marketing work. Because what they want right now, is free commercials.
    via JustmyOpinion444
  • CdnBison Submit it with an inflated invoice that can be waived with an accepted job offer.
    via CdnBison
  • purelitenite I remember reading about a law office who did this. They had paralegals interviewees. to do some kind of work under the guise of being a job interview... Do the promotion, but watermark it so they can not use it.
    via purelitenite
  • fernandocrustacean Its the "hey legends" for me which is a giant red flag. Ick.
    via fernandocrustacean
  • Lil_Brown_Bat This is what a portfolio is for.
    via Lil_Brown_Bat
  • backstabber81 Spec work before an interview? Yikes. Spec work or design tests in general for anything other than entry level positions is a huge no- no. Your portfolio should be enough to assess your skill.
    via backstabber81
  • I've never gotten a job involving any kind of test. Early in my career I entertained those tasks but I watermarked the out of them. One company, even before an interview asked me if I could send the working file + unwatermarked version. I sent an invoice. They never replied.
    via backstabber81
  • randybaguette It's not unheard of for some companies to do a 'task' to prove competency of skills. I've had a few small tasks (about an hour of work) for marketing, videography and UX roles. This is probably an
    via randybaguette
  • assessment of your capability and whether you can use their brand guidance effectively. As others have said, feel free to watermark it.
    via randybaguette

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