Hi Wanted an opinion on how do you all tackle the assignment bit when it comes to assignments as part of hiring processes. One, how regular or normal is it at senior positions ? And two, I feel that a lot of times they just ask you to do everything that is expected of the job. Eg: Create a marketing strategy after analyzing landscape and top 3 competitors. Add graphs etc. I always have a concern of getting most out of you. Since its at round 1 they would be getting multiple such assignments, which means by design lpt of this work will be a waste and lots of inputs freely sourced. How do you all handle it ? Can you push back ? P.S: Am from business/ marketing aide of things and not sure of how it works for techies/ product.
We also have 'Take Home' assignments. I only do them if they take atmost 1-2days. Now that we have GPT, one can speed up the process, polish, and submit in less time. You can also add it to your resume later if it is good enough.
Some companies have started paying compensation for completing these assignments since they value the applicants' time.
See this is a legit process and is in reaction to several folks who are just shopping around for jobs. When Cos give out assignments, they check how interested you are; because the quality of submission is strongly correlated to the intent of the candidate to join. So do your best in the assignment and show eagerness to join and this will help you shine even over other more talented candidates
Nothing against the process. Want to understand what can be checs and balances as a candidate, to ensure not being taken for a ride🙊 P.s: Have done side projects for learning and added in my resume too
If you really think that the strategy work candidates do in a week’s time for the assignment would be game breaking for the company, you are most likely overestimating it’s impact.
A strategy is nothing without the execution. They might be receiving many such assignments from candidates which don’t mean a thing to them.
It’s just a great way for them to see how you think and synthesise information and present it. And if it’s good enough they will try to see your execution abilities in your prior work experience.
IMHO if you really like the job/product/role , give your best shot and don’t worry about your strategy being stolen or misused. It doesn’t work like that.
P.S : I am in a leadership role in product, have both submitted and received various assignments
Recently hired 2 UI Designers.
Junior Role: did not make them do any assignments. Senior Role: making 6-7 candidates do the assignment (just a 1 page design/low fidelity wireframe) was very important to understand their thought process, and understanding of the given task. The effort they put into the assignment also speaks volumes about their willingness.
This seems fair.
Do you think a 10 pager with company analysis on 5-6 key points, landscape and competition anaysis, parity and differentiation points , growth opportunities highlighting then against the top gew competitors and 4-5 growth recommendations, makes sense ?
They didn't mention make a 10 pager but rather, in no longer than a 10 page.
Asking cuz you are hiring, so wanted to know if this is normal.
P.S:Nothing against proof of work. In fact have attached a few documents that I worked on in spare time as proof of work as well .
No, that’s a bit much. But it also depends on designation and role I guess.
I've submitted assignments for many interviews but I always look at what they're asking me and where they're coming from. I had one instance where the company gave me three days and seven, yes SEVEN different questions and tasks to finish. It was almost one quarter's worth of work with marketing research, strategy, full content pieces etc., I pushed back asking them wth it was because it was a consulting gig in itself. It also made me think what kind of pathetic company it was and why i'd need to waste my time on them. Eventually, I let them know that I could submit a few of those questions and not all of them and they came back with some bullshit explanation of how SO many candidates are ready and submit everything they ask for (the role was open for two months at that point). They didn't hire anyone for a long time after. So yes, I understand the market is tough now, but please vet the company during this process as well. Don't give away free ideas. Go where you're seen and appreciated. Assignments to gauge a candidate can be given without having to leech off lots of work. When you do get the assignment, give them your best shot.
'Assignments can be given without leeching off candidates.' This 🙏Thanks . Aligned on this and yes good point of seeing this as a red flag too. I feel that asking to create or document everything that will essentially be your potential job for a year,in an assignment isn't fair or just 🙊
I refuse to take up assignments if the HR starts off giving one immediately after the first call. Huge red flag IMO. The company is just clueless and is scouting for ideas without even someone from the hiring team talking to you. They most likely will never hire anyone for that role. I usually decide to take up the assignment only after 1 or 2 rounds after talking with the hiring manager or anyone from the panel.
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