Unpaid UX Take-Home Exercise Can be Unethical and Likely Illegal
Have you ever spent time doing a take-home UX design exercise after applying for a job?
I’ve done it before, and while I don’t regret the experience, I wouldn’t do it again. In fact, I’ve turned down several job opportunities after being selected because of similar assignments.
Many times you can learn a lot about company values based on their hiring process
When I first did it, I was new to UX and eager for any feedback, so at the time, it felt like a win to see if I was on the right path. However, at this stage in my career, I wouldn’t do it for free.
A company that values you also values your time
Take-home exercises are very common in hiring processes, but did you know that in most cases, the company should pay you for it?
The negative implications of an unpaid take-home exercise extend beyond just you. Companies risk losing top talent, especially in competitive job markets where candidates may gravitate toward opportunities that don’t demand unpaid work.
