An employer has sparked controversy online after calling out a candidate who refused to complete a task as part of an application process – some say the individual should have been paid, others disagree
An recruiter has sparked debate after being flabbergasted by a candidate who refused to complete a post interview task because it “looked like a lot of work” – and it’s sparked huge debate.
If you’ve been job hunting for a while, you know the pain of going through endless job applications, interviews, only to hear nothing back from an employer or to be met with ‘thank you for your application’ emails. New job processes can be demoralising but you often have to stick it out if you want to land a role.
While some applications can be as simple as submitting a CV, others require you to answer never-ending questions in detail or some recruiters even want you to undertake aptitude tests. The application process can often feel like a full time job before you have even landed the role.
But one employer was taken aback and immediately put off a potential employee after they refused to complete a task for an investment analyst position. The recruiter shared his thought on X, and explained that the candidate was asked to complete a ‘financial modeling test’ which would take around 90 minutes to complete.
The tweet said: “Me: really enjoyed the call. Please see attached financial modeling test. Gen z applicant: this looks like a lot of work. Without knowing where I stand in the process, I’m not comfortable spending 90 minutes in Excel.
“Me …well…I can tell you where you stand now.” The online call out sparked huge debate on social media – while some agreed with the recruiter that it is just part of the application process, others said the kind of task the employer was asking warrants the individual getting paid for their time.
“Then pay them for 90 minutes of time,” said one. One other added: “Better yet give them a real problem. And yes, pay them.”
Another claimed: “To be fair, a lot of places are just using applicants for free labour. The job doesn’t exist. The ‘test’ is the only work they need done.” One other added: “Cool, I’ll pass on a job that has a two hour homework also. I did that one single time in my career before I knew better.”
One other shared their experience and commented: “I don’t mind doing work for free to show what I can do. But last time I did this, the company ghosted me after I spent a weekend on a take home.”
But one other said: “Because I currently teach Gen Z, this unfortunately doesn’t surprise me.” Another added: “I stand with that applicant. I also congratulate them on their professionalism when pushing back on that massive red flag. How hard is it for you to tell a candidate where they stand in a process before asking them to work for free?”
Another added: “You don’t seem to understand that this person was just an applicant. You want the rewards of the company, get in the door first.”
One other commented: “‘How can you prove that you can do the job well? It’s chicken or the egg situation. And there’s a saying, no pain no gain. If you don’t want to put in work, expect no returns. Stay happy staying with parents.”
Do you agree? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
