How being requested to complete an assignment during an interview can affect my decision to pursue a job opportunity

The impact of interview assignments on job pursuit decisions

When a company asks you to complete an assignment during the interview process, it’s essential to consider how you feel about it and whether it aligns with your beliefs and values.

I do not recommend saying “yes” to work assignments during the interview process, for multiple reasons. You may be setting a precedent that you are always available and willing to work outside of regular interview expectations.

Completing a work assignment as part of the interview process requires a significant investment of time and effort, which can be particularly challenging if you are also exploring other job opportunities or juggling other commitments.

One survey by Hired in 2019 found that 85% of respondents said they had completed a take-home assignment during an interview process. Additionally, 52% of respondents said that the assignment took them between 3–5 hours to complete, while 24% said it took over 5 hours.

While every company wants to ensure that candidates are excited about the role and demonstrate a level of commitment, requiring an excessive amount of time for an interview process can be a red flag.

If a company expects me to invest 5 hours of my time to prepare for the interview while having 15 years of industry experience, it signals a lack of respect for my time and expertise. In my view, this is not a company that values its team or treats its candidates with respect, and thus not worth my consideration.

Fields such as User Experience (UX) Design, Graphic Design, Photography, Videography, Writing, and Content Creation that demand a website portfolio should not necessitate an assignment.