Design "testing" pre interview
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- MrAbominable
Aside from a minimal amount of freelance work, I find myself unemployed again. I'm blanketing resumes to job boards and recently [large gaming company that rhymes with Mockstar] Games got back to me about a position in their marketing dept.
HR on the phone mentioned that I'd been selected to test in their style. They'd provide files and an nda and give me 2 weeks with the materials... a test.
I asked how they handled this and he said it wasn't paid.
The last time I hit this quandary it was borderline to the "spec" work discussion and borderline "the norm". Are unpaid tests more and more the norm for design work these days? Or is this just a huge company trying to get something for nothing from potential "hires"?
thoughts?
- deathboy0
Depends on how desperate you are. If you showed them your work and it definitely displayed experience in what they are looking for than you can try to say that and politely decline. If it didn't show a ton of experience in what they are looking for give it a go since you don't have anything else going on. Most likely its part of there process and there is no way to get around it unless you have an in.
Also you could make them sign something that you hold all rights to the work and will transfer them the rights upon hire with a bonus or something.
- i like the counter-nda / rights idea. has anyone pulled that off in practice?MrAbominable
- monoboy0
Show them you mean business by putting a fully costed proposal together for the project.
And if they want to see design, you're going to need a 50% deposit invoice before the work can begin.
_ having said that. Mockstar treat their design staff well in bonuses.
- I think this would flag you as a pain in the assGnash
- (It was a joke)monoboy
- (ah)Gnash
- Thanks re the note on Mockstar. I'd guessed they were rough on staff like MTV, nice to hear otherwise.MrAbominable
- MTV is bad?bainbridge
- used to be terrible to employees.MrAbominable
- Gnash3
I wouldn't consider this spec work -- and I don't think they'd plan on using the work if you weren't hired (or even if you were). The project is likely something they've already done or it's one they use with all applicants so they can easily compare apples to apples.
If you want the gig I wouldn't make a stink about it.
- breadlegz0
Why don't you do a lot more freelance work and be your own boss?
- would love to pull that off but the last seven years has shown how bad i am as a sole freelancer.MrAbominable
- uan0
do it in 1-2 days and show you are fast AND good as hell and worth lots of $$
- that's my approach to industryuan
- i like that. :)MrAbominable
- meffid0
This is almost standard for any kind of game company.
They get a lot of applicants and submissions, mostly unwanted.It's an exercise in show the thinking / working. They have no plans to use it.
This is from my experience anyway- I turned down the task citing no spec and was cast aside immediately.
Do the work if you want the job. Do it well.
- MrAbominable0
Great to hear that it's fairly standard for the industry. Thank you all. I'll give it a shot; what do i have to lose?
- Nothing to lose! Show them what you can do for them, make them love you.bainbridge
- bainbridge0
They are a big company so I doubt they're looking to save a few hundred dollars and cheat people.
You don't even know how much work this is or what they're going to ask you to design?
Do you have the time? Do you want the job? If so, do the work and kill it and get the job.
- no, i haven't seen the brief yet. my question was more ethical than practical. if it's a fuckton of work i wouldn't do it.MrAbominable
- bainbridge0
Maybe they have questions about your abilities and you complaining here would make you look like a poor sport.
I've had two or three interviews for jobs before and never thought to ask them to pay me for my time.
- cannonball19780
I thought this would be about user testing
- moogchild0
that place is a sweatshop.
- freedom0
Sounds like you need a job. Don't have an ego.
- not being princessy; just wondering if it was the norm or if it was a way for them to skim creative. consensus is that this is more or less the norm.MrAbominable