6 Lessons To Self-Advocate For Yourself In Your Career

How do you honour your wants and needs in the process?

Photo by Artem Bali

A question that keeps popping up is the following:

“What’s the best way to vet companies?”

The idea of asking candidates to do “homework” to get to the next interview has somehow increased in scope; or perhaps it’s been like this for a while, and people are not talking about it. The idea of having to “prove yourself” to get to the next interview has been amplified. Candidates are spending substantial time to complete homework, adding additional pressure to the job search.

The more candidates agree to doing free work, the more this cycle will continue until candidates push back and say no to unpaid work.

Here’s a sample response (with a few edits) to Company X when asked to do homework before the next interview.

Dear X,

Thanks for your response.

I appreciate the open dialogue and conversation. I also acknowledge and appreciate your feedback, thank you for sharing.

The recruiting process is not clearly defined. From our last conversation, I heard that there would be a skills and leadership interview. I wasn’t expecting to see homework before the next interview, so I trust that this gives you context to my thought process.

Have you seen candidates drop out of your process because of the homework? With the recognition that top talent is usually employed full time and interviewing at multiple places.

With regards to the homework assignment, it is very lengthy. In light of the above, it gives other candidates an advantage or unfair bias if they have more time. Have you considered this perspective? Additionally, the homework addresses challenges in your business, which blurs the boundary of whether this is considered consulting work.

There is also the idea of transferring intellectual property which hasn’t been addressed. Hence, my response to request a fair exploration process on both sides. There is also a bias in this area, as candidates who choose transfer intellectual property may be at an advantage compared to those who don’t.

I am taking the initiative to suggest alternatives.

I appreciate your position and the process that you need to follow. I am open to supporting your recruiting process and giving you feedback to make it fair for both sides.

As a fyi, this is a post that X’s asked me to share with you:

https://hireclub.com/stories/how-to-handle-lengthy-homework-assignments-for-job-interviews-46

Sincerely,

XYZ

6 Lessons To Apply In Your Job Search:

Photo by Gratisography

1. Appreciate The Lessons. As odd as this may sound, “…the challenges are coming up to reveal a part of yourself that hasn’t been fully healed. Talk about it. Feel it.”— Gabby Bernstein. This video with Marie Forleo and Gabby Bernstein talks about creating ease to achieve your goals. There are deeper lessons that are embedded within challenges; the key is being open to realizing these lessons and getting out of our own way to receive the learnings.
2. Self-Advocate and Honour Yourself. What if all you have to do is prove to yourself that you are enough? What are your wants and needs? Who will advocate for you wants on your behalf? Ask questions to ensure that you are comfortable with the process. If the company pushes back on your questions, ask yourself, “Is this the type of company that I want to work with?” The interview process is a two-way conversation, so check in to see if your wants and needs are being honoured.
3. Mindfully Observe The Actions. A key consideration to remember: observe the actions of the company to make your own decisions to determine whether this is a good fit for you.
4. Clarify Your Position. What’s the best way to consider what is being asked of you? Check within yourself to see if you feel completely aligned. Do your own values align with the role and the company?
5. Take The Action For Yourself. At the end of the day, if you’ve done your best and the company fails to realize the value that you offer, then you can choose to walk away. Celebrate yourself and acknowledge yourself for standing up for what you believe in.
6. Embrace Self-Love. Listening to music has been helpful to relax and take the pressure off. How do you practice self-love?

What are the lessons that you’ve learned to self-advocate what’s right for you?