Looking for a job: is it necessary to perform test assignments

Some candidates hesitate before taking test assignments and wonder if it will bring results, whether they steal ideas and give feedback. In this article Go Mobile finds out why it’s worth doing trial assignments and how to recognize unscrupulous employers.

In the previous article, we discussed test assignments from the employer’s point of view. Now let’s look at the same topic from the applicant’s side.

Pros of test assignments

Provide insights into future work tasks

By doing the test, you can get a closer look at the work area and learn the responsibilities. If the task seems uninteresting or difficult at the stage of completion, you should decline the job and look for another offer.

Preparing for a job interview

The test assignment is the main helper before the job interview. You can use it to understand company requirements and compose your own questions.

Can be placed in a portfolio

Even if the offer wasn’t received, you can include completed tasks in the portfolio.

Show the growth areas

Another advantage is the feedback from the company. Based on the feedback, you can look at your skills from a different angle, learn your weaknesses, get a vector of self-development and even grow professionally.

Cons of test assignments

Sometimes you may not get feedback

The candidate tries to complete the test assignment, sends it, but does not receive any response. The employer may have forgotten to notify you that the position is closed, or may not have responded to the letter because of the large number of other applications. In any case, time is spent, but there is no result.

Can be stolen

Many people are worried that their work will be stolen and used without permission. Unfortunately, this happens. But you have to remember that only unscrupulous employers do this. Before you perform the trial assignment, it is worth checking the company, for example, read employee reviews or look at the rating on aggregator websites.

How to recognize scammers:

1/ The assignment is very large. If it takes you several days to complete the assignment, then you have stumbled upon scammers. The exception may be large corporations that are difficult to get into. Unscrupulous employers demand large and complete projects: develop an application or create a website.

2/ Test is related to the company’s actual product. Assignments should show you future work tasks, but that does not mean that at the employment stage you have to solve real tasks of the company.

3/ You are asked to do extra tasks. It’s okay if you’ve been given some edits and asked to slightly correct the assignments. But if you sent a test, and the employer asked you to do a few more tasks, then this is not ok.

4/ Short deadline. A decent employer will set a suitable deadline for the task, as he is aware of the candidate’s workload. Scammers will ask you to send answers within a few hours.

5/ Lack of a clear assignment. Be careful if you are not given details on how to perform a test. Most likely, the employer does not know what he needs, and wants to use your ideas.

Test taking tips

Check the details

Don’t be afraid to ask questions during the task, if there is not enough information. However, before asking, read the task and requirements several times to not miss anything.

Comment your ideas

A test assignment is a great opportunity to prove that you are the right person for the job. Therefore, do not only solve tasks, but also explain the course of your thoughts. It will be enough to justify only the key things.

Show general literacy

First of all, employers pay attention to writing style, spelling, punctuation, and logic of thought. If there are many gross mistakes, most likely the recruiter will not pass it on to the hiring manager and will reject the candidate himself.

Follow the formalities and conditions

Remember to follow the requirements. If you were asked to send the work in Google Doc to the mail by a certain date, do so. And don’t forget to share the document.

In conclusion

Some candidates are afraid of test assignments, but they can be useful. Test assignments are a great chance to demonstrate your skills, learn about the company and get an offer.