AIBU to ask is this normal recruitment practice?

[TheEighthMrsSK]

I have graduated and I’m applying for copywriting jobs. This would be my first graduate position so I have no idea if this is normal or not. I applied a month ago for a copywriter job with an online company, they asked for an example of my writing, all fine. I sent off the application, heard nothing for a month, and have now received an email asking for a 500 word blog piece. Is this standard practice?

Bump

Hello, yes it is! The longest process I went through was eight stages of application, work samples, tests, example briefs and presentations of example work... before getting to the final interview and a ‘no thank you!’. Until you’ve built up a decent portfolio I think it’s fairly standard from reputable companies.

Is this a reputable company?

Honestly, it would be a red flag to me. A lot of online companies use this as a way to get free content from people and have no intention of hiring the writers. Most reputable companies will not ask you to perform hours of work for free.

(I'm assuming they've asked you to write something specifically for them v showing them examples of work you have done previously)

Sorry, phone is playing silly buggers. If they're a big mainstream organisation then it could well just be part of their process. But if they're an unknown entity or their stuff looks like a content mill then be careful. They should be able to tell you what they will do with the finished article (for example, are they planning to publish it without paying you?) Have you googled them to see if there is any chat about them online?

Hmm sounds like they want you to create free content for them

Sounds normal to me. (Marketing role)

I wouldn't hire a designer without seeing enough examples

Is 500 words about one page of A4 paper?
Might sound a bigger job than it actually is...

(Speaking as someone who used to panic and lose sleep over having to produce 500 words)