Is this standard recruitment practice?

[TheEighthMrsSK]

I have just 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?

I have no idea what is standard in copywriting, but it would seem entirely sensible to ask for a sample of your writing. What’s your concern?

I don't have direct experience of copywriting recruitment practices, but broadly speaking it sounds like they want to be sure you have the capability and probably operating on a shoestring, so they're doing a 'try before you buy'.

There isn't a great deal they can do with your 500 words, so it isn't like you're spending weeks on a portfolio that they want as a freeby.

If 500 words doesn't take you too long to output, I'd go for it, nothing ventured nothing gained. The worst they can do is not bother to contact you for an interview!

The only thing that makes me wary is 'online company' - have you looked up any reviews? 500 words could be standard to check your writing, or they could ask everyone for a blog and then use their tests to generate their content.

Are you self-employed? I'm a self-employed copywriter too and it's very common for clients to start you off with very small projects. They are minimising their risk of you being rubbish. There are a LOT of people out there who call themselves copywriters but they have exceptionally poor levels of written English.

Build up your reputation and portfolio and you'll start to pick up bigger contracts.

Thank you everyone. @GenericHamster That’s exactly the sort of thing I was thinking. I looked it up on glass door, and there are only 3 reviews, but they are all awful. I don’t know what to make of that, really.

I’m not self employed. The role is office based full time. That was all quite reassuring thank you, I think I’ve just got an overactive imagination. Nothing ventured nothing gained!

Glass door can be useful but I also find people who are content don’t tend to leave many reviews!

Office based means at least it isn’t some online scam. They could just be slow at recruitment

Some companies are just really really slow at recruiting - I was once in process for a semi senior position for almost 3 months, even though most people at that level would also have 2-3 months notice in their contract...

I was really keen on the job and was one of the final candidates but the process was so slow, it left a bad impression of culture in that organisation so I withdrew!!

It’s been perfectly normal to be asked for presentations to be prepeared as part of the interview process in my profession, I would imagine their request would be comparable to that?