test projects?
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- Aa77
I am in the running for a fulltime position and the employer has asked me to do a test project for them to see the way I work.
I completely understand the reasoning behind this and have done this in the past, but usually I am asked to do something that would only take a few hours at most. For this job, they basically want me to create a micro-site which could easily be 2 full days of work with no pay and no guarantee that I even get the job.
What's your take on a test project of this scale? does it seem a bit excessive? should this already be a red flag for the type of employers I will be working for?
- prophetone0
there are many factors at play here that only you know that determine whether or not you are willing to jump thru some hoops for the position.
- lvl_130
I've had to do this several times. although annoying, it shows them upon completion that you really want the job. we are currently hiring for a dev, and half the people applying just give up. it weeds out the hacks really quickly.
- omg0
If they don't hire you, make sure you send them an invoice for the work you did.
- Morning_star0
Ask them to pay you and suggest that you reimburse them if you get the job.
- albums0
No pay, no work. I've been paid for my "trial time" we all should be.
Border line spec-work comes across as "Dance monkey, dance".- <<<timeless
- +1alicetheblue
- please provide company info on who actually paid you for doing work for a potential job. bullshit.lvl_13
- well, two companies in KS, one in orange county and another in SF which also covered the plane ticket.albums
- FACT.albums
- lvl_130
it's not spec work you ninnies. if you want to work for an agency/studio/corp environment you will no doubt face some sort of test/project you will be faced with if you really want a job. if you haven't faced this, you are either in a non-competitive city (ie. boring), or you have just created the new look for nike. i'm assuming most of us fall into the first category.
depending on the city you are in, go for it and get over your ego (said to half the people in this thread).
- interview "projects" is the quickest way to weed out the bullsiht and unfit.lvl_13
- wordssssss0
Of all the jobs I have applied for I have never been asked to do this. I think it's less the city or your skill level, and more the type of studio.
Generally a portfolio, some fairly specific interview questions and some references will tell you alot.
If they don't mind asking you to do a bunch of work before you are even hired, what do you think is in store for you if you get the job.
- JackRyan0
My history is that most big places still pay for the work. They hire you as a freelancer and see how you do. But if your working, you should always get paid. Test/trials are a red flag for me...sketch.
- maikel0
The whole pose "I'm hiring you so do the fuck I want" is BS. Any decent manager should be able to tell from a CV + Portfolio + interview if a guy is up for the role or full of s****
At least here in UK you have a mandatory trial phase of 3 months -now has been extended for 6 month- that allows precisely this: testing the candidate(s).
In this way you do not even have to pay bloated contractor's rates, but the actual wages that you are willing to pay.
I strongly believe It is unfair to transfer all risks to the new employee, and certainly talks poorly of the hiring company.
- moldero0
i did that for a startup 10-ish years ago, they didn't hire me but i seen the version of the logo that I made them for that "test" a few times on some of their shit. I didnt really care because I was too busy trying to become Valentino Rossi, thought i was gonna quit design, get all famous n crap. man,,, if I had a time machine, ide go back, and take state,,, and right now I'd be sitting in a hot tub, with Natalie Portman.
- ItalianStallion0
If you need money get up and work.
- formed0
If you do it, make sure that you make it clear you own the design.
What colleagues of mine have done is to do a trial period of working, say 3 weeks. Not hired, just hourly, no committments. Gives both parties time to determine if there is a good fit, they get work done, you don't get screwed.
I can understand the logic if there is something very specific that might not easily be shown in a port, but if it isn't something unique and specific to their clientele, then I'd at least express your reservations.
If it was a 6 figure salary with dream opportunities, that's different.
- spendogg0
Why can't these agencies just fucking contract you for 2 days even if you do it on off hours? That's what we do where i work.
- qTime0
No pay = no work. Simple
I'm guessing this company is based in the USA?