Why did I allow myself to get suckered into spec work for a job interview?

[Evan Wiener]

I was called for a designer position earlier this week. My current job was held by an administrative assistant doing desktop publishing without a design degree but with enough software/hardware to be dangerous. So I'm obviously very interested in an opportunity that they say is within my salary requirements, which would be 15-20% more than what I'm making now and eliminates my need to do administrative tasks.

So the first interview goes well, and I get a good vibe those I meet with and think it would actually be a good fit for me right now.

I meet with a a couple people that really give me the time to present my portfolio, which really matches the style and quality they're looking for. At the end of the conversation, they hand me one of their vinyl binders and asks me to redesign the piece as a sample of what I would do for them, and asks how long I'd need to do so.

I explained that I am reluctant to design something for them, mostly because speculative work is frowned upon in the design industry. However, since I am really interested in the position, I agreed to come up with two samples for them by Monday.

Now, I've done this twice for two other jobs years ago, one of which I got (my first job out of design school) and the other I didn't, and the feeling you get when spec work fails to convert is infuriating. I hate the idea of doing spec work and realize the hazards of doing so. I have a policy of no spec work for freelance clients, because I know they're looking for free work, but how do you tactfully refuse to do so for a full-time job interview without taking yourself out of the running for the job?

I don't think the guy deceitful, I think he simply doesn't know that it's a policy many designers have (or should have) to allow us to continue to eat because like any business, time is money. And while I'm a creative person, I'm a businessman first.

To do these samples designs, it will take probably several hours of reading through the company's materials to get an idea what they do, get some design ideas and figure out the production end of things (are these going to still be customized vinyl, full-color custom, or clear-view binders with inserts?). I'm also concerned that I'm handicapped by having not asked those questions to make sure I'm not designing something they don't like due to the production method required to use my design.

I know I shouldn't have agreed to do this, because after 5 years of experience, especially with 3 previous clients/jobs with corporate work, my portfolio, resume, and references should speak for themselves and should land me the job. Now I feel like I'm in a contest for the job, and this project could be the determining factor, which is TOTALLY unfair to me. However, I made my bed...

I think if I was sat down at a computer and tested on-site for a quick layout sample that they know would only take a pro with X years of experience to do, then sure, I think that's reasonable. As long as the company tells the interviewee about the test before coming in because most interviews are 1-2 hours, and your time is valuable and they should at least let you know you'll be there for a while.

The other problem with this is how do they know I'm doing this project myself, just like my portfolio work? I could grab someone else to do this for me just as easily, so who's to say I'm even doing this work myself? It's pretty stupid, really.

Also, I hate being given a project without the same amount of direction I would get when working for someone, or information I would get from a potential freelance client meeting. I should have probed them with a bunch of specific questions like I would a new client: How do you plan on producing this binder? Are we sticking with vinyl, or can we do a clearview or full-color design? What kind of new look do you have a preference for: using a photo or simple shapes or a design? If we're using a photo, clearly I'm not going to buy the rights to a photo for $150 for this sample project I'm doing for free to see if I have the skills my portfolio shows. Are you married to using the brand colors? That's what bugs me, and something I should flat out tell them is that while these are nice samples, I don't think it fairly reflects what I would do for them in that position, taking all of the above into account. Having time to get a better understanding of the position, as well as meeting with the president to discuss what he's really looking for (who will probably be the one seeing this and using it as a basis on whether I get hired). In fact, It may be a good idea to NOT send them anything, and simply call them Monday and say I have a couple of samples I'd like to show them, and find out when I can come in again to speak to them about what I've done. This way, they don't even get to see the stuff unless they agree to meet with me again, and I get that 2nd interview with who I'm supposed to meet.

At least I was smart enough to get them to send me their logo EPS. However, they send it to me with a tag line that uses a font I don't have (and they didn't convert to outlines!) I've had to waste time redrawing a vector for the New Balance logo when I was asked to do something similar by a children's apparel manufacturer for my first job interview 5 years ago, and I didn't think to get what I needed from them.

[sonnylarue]

In the radio gigs I apply for, there's usually a bit iof spec work the company in question asks for.

[CapnChaos]

I know what you mean. If you present the guy a portfolio, he should be able to tell enough from that to know if you're the best person for the job. You shouldn't have to do free work. Will you at least get paid for it if they do pick you up?

[Beatle]

Here is a simple two part answer.

1. You agreed to do the Spec work. Do it to the best of your ability. Go above and beyond and really knock their socks off. You gave your word, and if you don't follow through you will look really bad.

2. DON"T EVER DO FU--ING SPEC WORK AGAIN! EVER! It is a rip off. And frankly, it is unprofessional on their part.

[Brad N.]

Here is a simple two part answer.

1. You agreed to do the Spec work. Do it to the best of your ability. Go above and beyond and really knock their socks off. You gave your word, and if you don't follow through you will look really bad.

2. DON"T EVER DO FU--ING SPEC WORK AGAIN! EVER! It is a rip off. And frankly, it is unprofessional on their part.

Agreed. With a few exceptions it is generally VERY unprofessional to even ask you to do it. Not to mention there is no guarantee they won't take what he does and steal it for their own and hire someone shittier to manage what he did. NEVER do spec work for free. PERIOD.

[Evan Wiener]

Yeah, I know I shouldn't do it, but I want the job. So I since I never agreed to email the sample, I'd like to call them and explain I have a couple of samples to show, but I'd like to meet with them to discuss them. I didn't design the work to earn a 2nd interview, in my mind, I'm doing these samples in EXCHANGE for a 2nd interview. If they want to see them, they should bring me in again and then I'll know if they're serious about my contention for the job.