Dealing with Potential Employers who Require Online Samples of Your Work

Dear Deb:

How do you deal with recruiters and/or companies who require online samples of your work before they meet you when all or most of your work is proprietary, covered by a non-compete or NDA, restricted, etc.? Redacted samples would STILL appear to fall into that category. Would they want you to parade their deliverables to a future client? See what I mean?

Thank you,

Henry

Dear Henry:

I would need to know more about your occupation and industry to give you a definitive answer. I’ll share a few scenarios. If you write back with more about your situation, I’ll tailor an answer for you.

In some industries, sample work is expected in the early stages of the selection process. For example, designers, photographers, and those in the visual communications fields must have a portfolio to share. It is also very common for writers and marketing managers to have portfolios. In other occupations, it is not uncommon for hiring employers to request a writing sample. That sample could be many things, including an essay or a case study (fictional or real).

Samples of your work can demonstrate how you are head and shoulders above the competition. If you create a portfolio, post a digital version on your personal web page and your LinkedIn profile page. Depending on your field, a hard copy of your work samples may be relevant and appropriate for an interview.   In any format, be sure to show your best work, work you are authorized to share. You may wish to curate work samples in a customized portfolio aligned with your target employer’s needs.

There are some industries in which sharing work samples is not common. Those may include research and development operations in which the individual designs inventions or products that are the property of the employer and also proprietary. It may also include attorneys, financial managers, and others that create work that is confidential.   However, in those industries, it is not common for an interviewer to ask for examples of scientific/academic publications or posters from R&D candidates or a transaction list/highlights of litigation from an attorney.

Henry, please write back and share your industry and occupation. I would be happy to tailor this answer for your unique situation.

Thank you!

Deb