AIBU to not give my presentation away following an unsuccessful job interview?

[TygerTyger]

Hello, I've just been for a job interview. I've been told how marvellous I am (natch) and how wonderfully confident I am (not). I have been asked if I give them my presentation as a lot of work had obvs gone into it. The cost of the suit was £200, some journals for research was 50 quid and DH and DF think I should not give my research away. I don't want to p*ss them off, but in this job climate it feels that you have to give give give. On the one hand I want to please but on the other hand I'm tempted to feel its unprofessional of me to give proper work away for nothing. Help!

[TygerTyger]

Thank you all you have been great. I was thinking that I was stark raving mad. I have a plan in my head of what to say, I'll let you know how it pans out. I would never ask that of anyone I have ever interviewed, either; for what it's worth. And ultimately, you should treat people as you would like to be treated yourself. So a dollop of self respect, I think.

[LukesDiner]

I have had similar- been told I was the best person for the job, but wasn't selected, although they loved my ideas etc etc. They quickly snaffled any print outs (not the presentation but examples of my work) I took with me but I managed to delete my presentation off their laptop before I left. I asked afterwards for travel expenses (£80) as this is quite normal in this field but radio silence ever after. Makes you wish bad things on bad people! Don't give them anything without payment, and try not to seethe with rage (as I did for a while!). It's difficult, isn't it?!

[TulipsInAJug]

Don't watermark your profile to the slides- they can still steal your ideas!!

Don't even consider giving it to them, OP.

[franincisco]

My DSis went for an interview recently where she had to do a presentation entailing business strategies that she would bring to this (struggling) company.

She didn't get job, asked for feedback and told that they loved her ideas and were going to use them in the upcoming business proposal. There wasn't a successful candidate so it seems that they just got people in to get ideas. YADNBU!

[BipBippadotta]

Ugh, I used to work in an industry where they did this all the time. Interview you, praise your presentation/5 year plan/etc to the skies, heavily suggest they were going to offer you the job and casually ask for a copy of your presentation... and then they'd hire a cheaper, younger, less experienced internal candidate & arm them with all your plans for the job.

Like the suggestion of watermarking your LinkedIn profile to the slides.

[KickAssAngel]

If you give it to them, then you use it again, will they possibly claim ownership?

Or could they then use it loads, and make money from it (even by just helping employees to do better at their jobs)?

I'd say no.

If you do work there and this was for a promotion, ask them if they're willing to pay you overtime for this extra work which cost you xxx to produce. But how will you feel if it gets used at every training event and you aren't acknowledged for it?

[PlumsGalore]

Not a chance, no.

[DontMindMe1]

Your presentation is your intellectual property - look into the legal side of this before making your decision.

You could sell them the right to use it but still retain your copyright so you can still use/sell it in future
Will using your material make them more money etc in any way? I'm sure you could also ask for a percentage of profits generated through using your work.

They're cheeky buggers! They like your work well enough to ask for it but don't want to employ you?! Mmmmmm.....methinks they don't like competition, so they'd rather take your work, tweak it a bit and pass it off as their own.

[mysistersimone]

Wow. Tell them you'll sell it to them 😆

[DontMindMe1]

Your presentation is your intellectual property - look into the legal side of this before making your decision.

You could sell them the right to use it but still retain your copyright so you can still use/sell it
Will using your material make them more money etc in any way? I'm sure you could also ask for a percentage of profits generated through using your work.

They're cheeky buggers!

[Dixiechickonhols]

No I wouldn't give it them for free. I'd keep it very professional. Glad you liked my work and hope you bear me in mind for any future roles, I would be able to let you have the presentation at my consultancy rate if you require it type email. A similar thing happened to dh recently and has led to him getting several days consultancy work with them.

[Bountybarsyuk]

I can't even believe you are considering giving them this. This is your intellectual property, don't give it away to people who aren't paying for it and don't want to employ you! Being nice and having a great presentation and ideas obviously wasn't enough for the job, so why be nicer?!

[TulipsInAJug]

No way!

How cheeky of them. This makes me mad. Employer's market and all that. Stand up for your rights.

Don't do it!

[Sierra259]

I like your thinking Lurking

[LurkingHusband]

I like a pp's response that you may need it for future interviews/employers.

Personally, if possible/appropriate, I'd casually mention I will be using in an interview I have with one of their competitors.

[Sierra259]

No. No. No. Cheeky buggers! I am actually if they rejected you for the post but want you to hand over all your hard work for them to no doubt use and take credit for in the future

I like a pp's response that you may need it for future interviews/employers.

[Olympiathequeen]

You mean you have put a presentation together at some time and expense as part of the job application, they've turned you down but still want the benefit of your research?

Cheeky sods! Politely decline on some believable grounds (just in case they might recommend you at a later date) and look for another outlet such as publishing a paper.

[PoisonWitch]

The fucking cheek of it! Agree with the others. Charge consultancy rates for your time and if they say no act confused. Why would you think I would do it for free? I'm happy to come and so some freelance consulting for you if you want my skills but don't have a position available.

[LurkingHusband]

Oh - and charge them for the interview too.

[scaryclown]

Say ' thanks for your kind comments' and treat the request as a nice compliment, rather than an actual request. if they hassle you for it, say you'd be happy to deliver it again, but you dont send slides. negotiate from there.

cheeky bastards!

[Bluntness100]

You need to give more info. Is this your current employer? If so absolutely do it, say thanks for the opportunity and be happy. If not, then would you apply for a job with them again? Then it's a yes, if not, no.

Also have uou been rejected? This is really more relevant if it's not your current employer.

[CustardShoes]

NO. They are unreasonable to ask.

Just No.

[TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth]

Sod that! Cheeky feckers.

What reason did they give for not giving you the job if they think you are wonderful?

[CondyLisa]

Did they ask for the presentation, out of interest?