I've noticed a trend of being asked to create elaborate strategies, extensive market research and other creative collaterals when it comes to the assessment rounds. They usually take inputs and then reject them in the final round. How should we protect our ideas while simultaneously participating in the interview process? I recently had a company ask for a strategy, reject me and then immediately announce a part of what I had given as an input. It was a shitty company and that was what was expected from it anyway but what about other big companies who do the same?
Shitty companies ask for real business case problems.
Good companies give unrelated hypothetical problems to test. Eg: a B2B company may give a totally unrelated B2B or even a B2C case. Or ask you how you'd approach something they've already solved.
If they ask for ideas, be vague and on nudging say - at this stage, this would be my capacity for input, I'd be happy to do a case with you to showcase my skills and share elaborate solutions if we agree on my employment.
One chutiya startup stole ideas from me, a senior said this is the way many startups interview for mkt lead positions (how you'd hire and strategize etc)... but fuck them. I hope many people read this, companies take advantage because there are people who do full assignments.
Most startups are going to ask for ideas for their newest product or vertical they're starting out. Have observed this trend.
Thanks for your response. This gave me so much insight. I once rejected a company saying that the assessment was a consulting gig in itself and they told me how there were lots of candidates who were ready to do it. I felt bad for them. I later saw that, they did not hire anyone for the role. I wish more candidates stepped back when asked these things.
Rule of thumb: take up the assignment only if you have cleared multiple rounds of interviews where you had really useful discussions. If someone is shoving up the task right at the beginning of the process just ghost them. Else they will ghost you once they receive your assignment!
Thanks for your response! I've noticed this happen a lot. Will keep this in mind :)
And as far as ideas go, I don't see it an issue in giving elaborate ones. If not you then someone else is most likely to give them in their assignment, because the trap is not just for you but a dozen more folks out there. Treat the assignment as something that you're challenging yourself. It doesn't hurt. You can always implement it in the place you join.
I've made assignments and saved them where I just tweak the shit that needs to be changed according to the company and submit it, effortlessly (have received offers from those as well! BIG startups I mean). If you're appearing for one role just have that one master assignment which plugs all the gaps. You can remove the slides which the org has already fixed and go ahead and submit. Only competitive analysis requires effort.
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You know you have answered most questions well but you get a rejection mail after 3 rounds of interview.
Just curious.
Recently, I gave an interview at this early startup in Bangalore. It consisted of 5 rounds.
Dodged a bullet, I would say.
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