How to ace an interview assignment and get the job

Feel like causing a little controversy? Just ask a group of people how they feel about interview assignments.

Some argue they're "free consulting work" in an already drawn-out hiring process. Others swear they're the best way to truly determine a candidate's abilities.

I’ve been on both sides now (Joni Mitchell plays softly in the background).

Once, I received an unpaid social media assignment requesting a complete 3-channel strategy and a month-long content calendar. I was so shook by the audacity, I swore off companies with assignments forever. But guess what? There's nuance.

A few years ago, you could expect the standard interview process to look like an initial screening, an interview with the hiring manager, an interview with the department manager, maybe a panel interview, and finally, reference checks. Skill assessment relied on résumé qualifications and interview responses—basically assuming rather than proving job capability.

Times have changed, jobs have changed, so it makes sense that the interview process would change too.

Here's the tea: yes, these assignments ARE work. But good ones shouldn't feel like free labour. They should clearly outline expectations and constraints.

A good assignment simulates actual role responsibilities—deadlines and all. They showcase your attention to detail, ability to roll with incomplete information, analytical skills, and thought process.

Companies aren't expecting polished outcomes like they would from someone familiar with their inner workings, procedures, and brand guidelines. Assignments requiring deeper strategic thinking might even come with compensation.

Because marketing assignments remain so divisive, many candidates self-select out when given one. What's that I smell? Oh right—an opportunity for you to really shine against other candidates.

Unless you've been fighting the good fight on the frontlines of the job hunt lately, you might never have encountered assignment requests. Interviewing is already overwhelming, and assignments add another layer of anxiety.

Luckily, here at Growclass, we got your back. We know you're a little genius who deserves that role, but why not try with a little help from your friends?

*Waves erratically* That’s us. We’re friends.

Us to you on your job hunt.

That’s exactly why we put together the Growclass Marketing Assignment Database.

This gorgeous, stunning, spectacular, groundbreaking (etc)  resource is a compilation of real user-submitted assignments given to candidates across various levels of seniority during the hiring process. For each position, you’ll find:

• The assignment
• The completed submission
• Process details and context
• Whether they got the job
• Lessons learned

This is a tool that will help inspire you on your job search journey, give you benchmarks for what a good assignment looks like, and help you learn from the experience of others. Invaluable, no?

And if you’ve already made it to your dream role or are in the thick of interviewing, you can help out the community by contributing to the database here.

Go stun ‘em, tiger.

Talk soon,

Ines

‍