I'm a big no on free work. Unless you're doing some volunteer work for an actual non-profit. Like literally no other exceptions. Why? Let me start here: "If you’re trying to get a job and it’s a requirement. This was a prerequisite when I joined the SEO agency. "
Been there. It wasn't an agency but a really great company that I wanted to join. They wanted a test article (for free) as part of the interview. I knew the topic well, so I knew it wouldn't take me more than an hour or so to write the whole thing. So I went for it.
One week later, they rejected my application. They even said it was because the article wasn't quite what they were looking for, the tone of voice didn't match their site and other crap like that. Fine, whatever, moving on. About a month later, I stumbled back on their site. And guess what I find? Yeeep, my unworthy, "doesn't-match-the-tone-of-the-site" article. It wasn't even edited, it was word for word how I'd written it. So....yeah, thanks but no thanks, not doing the free test article thing again.
I definitely would not do it today, knowing what I know and having the brand that I developed. However, as a young journalist who had never touched SEO before and was desperately trying to escape corporate... they got me. I mean, I got the job, and for sure there were others who did the unpaid test and got nothing.
Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, but at least you learn a lesson. Seems like you learned yours, so... it wasn't for naught :))
I'm a big no on free work. Unless you're doing some volunteer work for an actual non-profit. Like literally no other exceptions. Why? Let me start here: "If you’re trying to get a job and it’s a requirement. This was a prerequisite when I joined the SEO agency. "
Been there. It wasn't an agency but a really great company that I wanted to join. They wanted a test article (for free) as part of the interview. I knew the topic well, so I knew it wouldn't take me more than an hour or so to write the whole thing. So I went for it.
One week later, they rejected my application. They even said it was because the article wasn't quite what they were looking for, the tone of voice didn't match their site and other crap like that. Fine, whatever, moving on. About a month later, I stumbled back on their site. And guess what I find? Yeeep, my unworthy, "doesn't-match-the-tone-of-the-site" article. It wasn't even edited, it was word for word how I'd written it. So....yeah, thanks but no thanks, not doing the free test article thing again.
I definitely would not do it today, knowing what I know and having the brand that I developed. However, as a young journalist who had never touched SEO before and was desperately trying to escape corporate... they got me. I mean, I got the job, and for sure there were others who did the unpaid test and got nothing.
Sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, but at least you learn a lesson. Seems like you learned yours, so... it wasn't for naught :))