Open request to Human Resource Managers

[Lerkfish]

I understand in this tough economy, your jobs are even tougher than usual.
So, I'm not talking about the normal deluge of applications where your interaction is only to weed out the ones you don't want.

This is a different category.

over the last year, I've been involved in several application processes where I either was given an assignment that was time consuming or complicated, to complete in a short amount of time.. and that's ok, I actually think that's a valid process to see whose work you like better.

What I would request, is in those circumstances, where you've asked the applicant to complete assignments (in my case, complicated Flash animations, in one case I redesigned an entire magazine, in another, I redesigned mulitple documents and branding logos), especially assignments that consume a lot of time on the applicant's part, that you would at least spent 2 minutes to respond.

When you're applying for a job, and given an assignment, you want to impress, and you're willing to go nights without sleep to do the best you can do. There is no problem with choosing someone else.

BUT if you're going to ask for such an assignment, please consider that the applicant, who has spent a lot of time on it, might just deserve a personalized response or any response at all.

in the last 7 times I'd completed an assignment, I received a personalized response in just two of them, and an automated response in one. That means FOUR times I've not even received a reply of any kind whatsoever, even after multiple attempts on my part to touch base with them politely on the process.


I don't think that's too much to ask when you're receiving professional quality design efforts (or actually any level of quality, if you are asking for the sweat up front)

thanks for your time.

[rfranklin]

1. A symptom of the lack of manners in our society...

Like people who make appointments with my business and don't bother show up even after they confirm the appointment a day before.

[Lerkfish]

4. I know, I remember when you would receive a written rejection.

years ago, But EVEN SO, with blackberries and computers and emails, just how hard is it to send one line saying "thanks for your submission, but we went with a guy who used brighter, peppier colors and a more childlike approach"?

that took me 15 seconds to type.

[Fire1]

2. Totally agree. In addtion, who is to say someone didn't use

your work for some project, now or in the future and you don't even get the benefit of feedback or an interview?

[Lerkfish]

3. right, that is a concern of mine, especially the one where I redesigned the ENTIRE magazine

I was worried they were just going to take my designs, without paying me.

[Fire1]

5. I don't blame your skepticism or suspicion. That's a pretty

sleazy way of doing business, if you ask me.

[ohheckyeah]

30. I think that is a valid worry.

Have you checked the magazine since the assignment to see if they used any of your work?

[notesdev]

6. Sounds like scammers

Trying to get you to work for free.

Make a portfolio, show your work. Alarm bells should go off if they want original work without offering compensation.

[Lerkfish]

9. They already have access to a web portfolio

and they still ask for the assignments.

[notesdev]

12. Put a watermark on the finished product

That will prevent them from getting something for nothing, if that is their intent, and demonstrate that you understand the business as well.

[Brickbat]

7. I never do work for free; I hope you were at least paid for these projects.

And I agree -- the lack of even basic responses is a symptom of the job market.

[Lerkfish]

8. nope, was not paid a red cent.

which I find it further concerning

[Brickbat]

10. Had they agreed at the beginning to pay you?

Did you get a contract or something? Seriously, it's a good idea to do that, even as part of a job interview. There's no reason at all to work for free as part of the interview process.

[Lerkfish]

11. no, no talk or agreement of payment

which is why I never complained to them about it.

I've been unemployed since december, so that makes me more compliant than I normally would be.

[aikoaiko]

20. Its not really work -- its an employee selection method.

If the company actually used Lerkish's assignment to their benefit outside the hiring process then that would be unethical.

[Lerkfish]

21. I understand your point but would disagree with your label

it is INDEED work, and harder work than if it were even a freelance assignment, because you're often given LESS time than you would have professionally, and you end up spending MORE effort on it since it represents you for a possible position.

that IS work....

I think what you mean is its not work for legitimate use.

[aikoaiko]

25. Yes, sorry, it is work as in serious effort, but no work as in "working for free"

if it is a part of the employee selection process and not to be used commercially by the prospective employer.

From an HR point of view, these assignments are part of the selection process. The assignments are "repaid" with further consideration for the job. I know that may seem harsh but hiring departments have the luxury of making people jump through hoops in these economic times.

Applying for creative professional positions is a hell of a lot effort.

[Lerkfish]

28. but its an unfair luxury.

for example, for most other professions, a resume is sufficient, and a portfolio. These are cases where they want MORE than that without a reasonable justified excuse for doing so, other than meeting deadlines.

IMHO, such assignments should be of a nature that they cannot be reused, ever.

This is the problem with the current economy, it feels like India, where the unemployed are so desperate they'll dig though human waste with their hands.

[Brickbat]

23. Unethical use? Unpossible!

The way I see it, demanding payment for my work takes away the ethical stickiness. And it's an issue of self-respect and a refusal to undercut other workers, frankly. I value my work, and I expect other people to, too.

[aikoaiko]

26. Of course, but in this case the work is "repaid" with further consideration for employment

You're perfectly entitled to not do such assignments as a part hiring process (or ask them to pay you for your time), but the employers are perfectly entitled to no longer consider you for employment.

[Brickbat]

31. Of course they are.

It's a price I've been willing to pay every time.

[libnnc]

13. I just went through a similar thing

had to present a "mini-teach" on a particular topic for a job interview at a local community college.
Worried myself sick tweaking the presentation and preparing for questions on the topic, only to have the committee tell me:

1. Their projection equipment didn't work and all the time I'd spent trying to find photos for my presentation was for shit.

2. They weren't interested in asking me questions about the topic they'd given me.

I spent 20 minutes answering hypothetical work environment-related questions.
Along the lines of "What would you do if you were in a situation where a colleague wouldn't share the Xerox machine?..."

No shit.

I said, "Well, I'd probably find another copy machine on campus or just go to Kinkos."

And I lost a night's sleep over that...

:eyes:

[Lerkfish]

15. sorry about that experience for you.

[libnnc]

16. my experience was only a peeve

You're getting your work taken from you without compensation. THAT sucks. And it ought to be illegal IMHO.

People have no damn manners anymore. I see it in students as well as fellow instructors.

Makes me want to crawl into a pint of Ben & Jerry's and pull the lid over me.

[Lerkfish]

14. why would anyone Unrec this topic?

it was up to two and now down to one recs.

*scratches head* I can't imagine a political or even logcial reason for unrec'ing this topic.

[libnnc]

17. unrec trolls can suck it.

K&R :kick:

[Lerkfish]

19. to quote Butch Cassidy and the sundance kid "who ARE those guys?"

LOL.

[notesdev]

22. Sometimes...

people accidentally click the wrong one. I've done that a couple of times (not in this case though). Never attribute to malice, as they say.

[aikoaiko]

18. You are correct. There is no excuse for not recognizing receipt of your completed assignment

In these economic times, employers don't spend time on the little things when there are possibly hundreds going for the same position.

[Ikonoklast]

24. I am taking applications for general maintenance help around the house.

I need you to paint the garage, stain the deck, a couple of wiring fixes, and do some landscaping clean-up before the snow falls...as a test to see if you are qualified, you see.

I will inspect your work assignments to see if they measure up to my standards, and if you qualify, I will get in touch with you.


Those people are getting you to do their homework for them, for nothing. What a great way to get a lot of free design ideas from a pool of applicants.

[Lerkfish]

27. it certainly does have the feeling, but in one case

the assignment was purposely so unrelated to their potential use for that company that that was no way it could be reused: I actually felt better about that.

Where I get queasy is when it could be DIRECTLY copied and reused by the company -- such as a redesign.

[RagAss]

29. Welcome to Corporate Fascism...How's it look from the bottom up?

[Lerkfish]

32. I never saw it from the other direction

FWIW