When I used to work as an art director at a web design company, we would hire people based on their portfolio. Then after about 2008 or so, we started getting people who had great portfolios, but after we hired them and they started working on stuff, I discovered they weren't as good as their portfolio. Even in the way they would set up their files (layers, pixel resolution, etc). So I had to start giving a "design test" if a person got to the point of a second interview. I gave everyone the same test. Design a website homepage for a fake company that I made up. We would not pay them for this. If they didn't want to do it, that was fine, but I couldn't go on hiring people that I then had to let go 3 months later. It was making more work for me. The company never used any of the designs that the potential employee made, though, and I would always send them a letter or even give them a call if they didn't get the position and kept their info on file for the future and even possible freelance help when we get really busy. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people that lie nowadays, even about their portfolios, and they will use other people's work to get a job.

This is a usual thing in translation market with freelancers. They send you a piece of text as a "test". Normally tests are five to eight paragraphs and your see they are from different docs on different areas meaning this is the actual test to check your skill. However, a test for like two or three pages from a single document is an alarming sign. They split the doc and let "candidates" translate, then just merge it back and you never get the job or pay. My first experience of testing was a fake like this. Translated five clauses from a contract and didn't get paid.

There’s a complementary health clinic in my town who keep advertising what looks like jobs. They say things like: “we’re looking for enthusiastic colleagues to join our busy team of professionals (osteopaths, acupuncturists, etc)”, making it look as if they’re going to give you a job. They’ll even set up an interview, but what they’re really offering is therapy rooms for rent.

I had to stop reading this after the third post. It's infuriating to read about shady AF businesses exploiting people's desire to work. Also, I suspect that many of the scenarios posted actually do violate Intellectual Property laws. Intellectual Property laws don't just cover things written, said, etc. They cover INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, in general--which includes coding/programming, design work, prose, conceptual designs, layouts, proposals, and their related outlines, formulas, design information, and other plan management information. And so forth. If someone asks you to demonstrate a skill or talent for them and you've already provided them with demonstrative samples, ask them if there is a reason they need additional examples--and if their answers make sense, be sure to put them on notice that you expressly forbid the use of that intellectual property for ANY purpose without your consent. And if they use it without agreed-upon compensation, SUE THE HELL OUT OF THEM.

I can't fathom what is going on in the minds of the people who are basically scammers. It'S especially shocking of a giant corporation does this - like GAP did with logos from an artist - because it is so unnessecary. They clearly have the budget. Adn if you don't have the budget to have someone do a job you need, your business isn't viable.

Even if am desperate for a job I would never stoop this low...being scammed of my time for assholes that won't hire me?? its dumb to fall for such s**t...i mean one should be able to protect their end of the bargain too so as not to be exploited

This happens in the blue collar world, too. I've heard of places that make you take a weld test to send off to get certified. You take the test and then they put the name of one of their own guys on it and send it to be certified. And before you ask any scratches or permanent (non ink based) markings will fail the test sample.

I read about Brewdog doing this in the UK, getting people to design their marketing as part of a "test" for a non existent job.