Understanding Your Investment in Job Interviews

In the midst of a job hunt, you'll find yourself juggling various commitments, including work meetings, personal life, and family responsibilities. With interviews potentially lined up daily, you may face additional challenges.

Many companies request candidates to complete case studies, create comprehensive presentations, or draft proposals before an interview. Most job seekers have encountered such demands at least once during their search.

The key question arises: when does the request cross the line into excessive territory? Remember, you are not being compensated for this work yet, and you certainly don’t want to provide your insights for free only to have the company benefit from them without offering anything in return.

What should you do in this situation?

You may feel enthusiastic about certain companies and be willing to meet their expectations, but for others, the level of commitment they seek may not warrant your time and effort. It’s perfectly acceptable to decline requests for additional preparation outside of the interview context.

Unless you have ample time or a strong desire for a particular position, it’s crucial to establish boundaries. This allows you to allocate your energy toward other interviews, applications, and meaningful preparation.

In my own experience, I’ve faced demands to create presentations that could take nearly a week to finalize. Unless it’s a dream role, I tend to steer clear of such extensive requests.

Companies that value your time typically won’t impose significant demands on you outside of the interview process. Based on your interest level, you should be able to swiftly gauge how much time, effort, and energy you are willing to dedicate to a potential employer beyond the interview.

Ultimately, setting boundaries is essential. Even if you feel a pressing need for employment, don’t compromise too much of your well-being in the pursuit of a job.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed during your interview preparation, consider asking yourself these questions:

• How much do I truly want this position?
• What significance does this role hold for me?
• Am I content with the interview process thus far?
• How many times am I willing to invest in this opportunity?
• How do the interviewers make me feel?
• What would my reaction be if this company decided to reject my application?

In the first video, "When He's Not Investing In You, Avoid THIS MISTAKE," Matthew Hussey shares insights on how to navigate relationships where investment is one-sided. This perspective can help you understand the dynamics of professional interactions during your job search.

The second video, "If He DOESN'T VALUE YOU, Do This To Get Him To CHANGE!" features Matthew Hussey discussing strategies for ensuring that you are valued in any interaction. These principles are equally applicable to your job search, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and value in professional relationships.

Free Ebooks | Join The Tribe | Free Course: Break Into The Tech Industry