Interview or Free Work?

[Deleted User]

Hi all, I really just want to ask for some opinions and or advice.

I have asked some colleagues, but of course I have told them my opinion and they have then agreed with me. But I need one of you experts to help.

I have been invited to an interview for a senior role within a local gov. In the industry I work we already know the issues they face at their location.

As part of the interview process they have explained their problem, and have asked for a detailed presentation of the resolution, and also a full written report that will be left with them, containing a detailed analysis showing the positives and negatives of each solution.

Am I being presumptuous or are they taking the p, and just getting lots of free consultancy saving them thousands of pounds.

They no doubt have a role available, but they do have someone in post temporarily who could easily take the role in my understanding.

Any ideas or advice welcome, I don't know if I want to attend and give them all of my time and my report! For free.

Thanks :cool:

bouicca21

The presentation will give you a chance to shine, and control of the interview since almost all the questions will come straight off the presentation.

It’s the sort of approach I used to take in organising interviews. You are being given a chance to demonstrate just how you would tackle the job. What’s wrong with that?

TELLIT01

If you're going into a senior role I don't think it unreasonable that they want to be sure that you are able to fulfill the role. If you want the job you will have to comply with their request. If you don't want the job then don't waste their time.

[Deleted User]

bouicca21 wrote: »

The presentation will give you a chance to shine, and control of the interview since almost all the questions will come straight off the presentation.

It’s the sort of approach I used to take in organising interviews. You are being given a chance to demonstrate just how you would tackle the job. What’s wrong with that?

I just felt perhaps they were using the interview as free consultancy, which otherwise would have cost them a lot and would not have been as comprehensive unless they hired multiple consultants. I have interviewed for a few positions in the past and none have been centred so directly towards one project and service delivery in such a detailed way.

I expect I have been over cautious with my approach, there is one of these jobs at each local authority, so as things go it's quite rare to get the chance to interview for such a role.

Fortunately I am already in the same role, and I made my application before I was appointed to my current role.

The benefit would be less travel and perhaps an easier workload because of the location.

Thanks :-)

[Deleted User]

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If you're going into a senior role I don't think it unreasonable that they want to be sure that you are able to fulfill the role. If you want the job you will have to comply with their request. If you don't want the job then don't waste their time.

Thanks for the advice, because the request was so specific, I felt it was a request for information that would be used outside of the interview regardless of appointment.

I was offered the same role recently elsewhere, and I'm really unsure of what to do. The opportunity is rare, and I have had two opportunities arise at once. I'm unsure what to do.

KiKi

I wouldn't say this was 'free consultancy' at all. I don't know of any organisation problem that can be solved by someone who hasn't been able to talk to the people involved, understand (from the inside and from customers) what the real issue is, understand the context etc. Even if you're in the same industry. What you'd be doing it pretty theoretical as you're doing a 'review' without the benefit of actual evidence and insight except that which you can get externally. (Also, if you think the required consultancy would cost them thousands and need to be very comprehensive, then they'd hardly choose to get that from a range of candidates who will spend a couple of days each prepping. That's not how to get what they need - if it really is as complex as you say.)

This is exactly the sort of approach I take in interviewing - asking people to show what they could *actually* do and their ability to think critically, rather than standard exercises or competency based questions which don't necessarily show capability. I use things like this to a) test how quickly someone can grasp an issue; b) test their ability to think critically and from the perspective of understanding the problem before diving in solutions; c) the level of professionalism / gravitas that comes with the way they present their work and d) test the level of complexity at which they think and the approach they take to their work.

Also - don't overthink it. If it's a 15 minute presentation (even with a full report), then they're really not expecting 'free consultancy'. Not to solve a complex problem, anyway - that sort of thing can't just be done in a couple of days with a powerpoint and report. To me, 'consultancy' means spending time with the right people, asking the right questions, getting to the root of the problem, and drawing on my expertise and research to come to a solution which is designed from a customer experience first approach. You're not going to do that for an interview!

It sounds like they've given you a problem, want your thoughts, positives and negatives of each (so a SWOT / equivalent) and what your recommendations are. As you say, they have someone in the role who you think can do it (but clearly the organisation doesn't agree with you on that one, or has to advertise). So if the approach to solving the issue was so easy that someone can do it in prep for an interview, this person would have done it by now.

This to me is very standard practice in making a decision about someone for a senior role.
HTH
KiKi

[Deleted User]

Thank you everyone. I got the job!

I have accepted the first offer already due to start soon.

This offer has come along and due to start sometime after.

What on earth do I do now... this new offer is close to home and really what I want to do! It’s more of what I know and works side by side my current organisation.

Can’t believe the situation and decisions I now have. Equally don’t want to loose both because I refuse the initial and things change in this recent newer offer.

theoretica

assj wrote: »

Thank you everyone. I got the job!

I have accepted the first offer already due to start soon.

This offer has come along and due to start sometime after.

What on earth do I do now... this new offer is close to home and really what I want to do! It’s more of what I know and works side by side my current organisation.

Can’t believe the situation and decisions I now have. Equally don’t want to loose both because I refuse the initial and things change in this recent newer offer.

Don't overthink it - do you know any objective reason why this latest job is more likely to have things change and fall through than any other? You would be in no different a position than any other time with only one job offer on the table.



Chances are the job you turn down will simply offer it to whoever came second at interview.