Should I push back on a 'trial day'?

Posted by crapegg@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 27 comments

Hello everyone, apologies. An employer does not want to do a standard first interview, but offered to do a 9-5 trial day in their city which is a fair few hours' train ride (a tough commute for me, but I'm looking for a first job in a career change profession so I'm worried about pushing back.) They offered the option of an MS Teams interview or me picking a different day. Is a trial day somehow exploitative? It would certainly be stressful. Should I say I prefer MS teams or would it make me look bad? What do you typically wear on a 'public facing job?' I am an international so I typically wear a black or navy suit and blouse.

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27 Comments

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boldstrategy@reddit

What type of job is it?

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

Local news.

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boldstrategy@reddit

Have they said what this trial will prove to them?

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

I think they want to really test out my skills in the newsroom and see how quickly I can adapt. They said they like face to face interviews and have me check out the area. Basically it's a trial by fire. I strongly prefer to put in that kind of effort in a second interview.

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boldstrategy@reddit

Up to you then, I'd say go for it and good luck... Don't be taken advantage of

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

I pushed it to Friday just because I would need to kind of move there with all my stuff. But I feel like I'm coming down with something, worried about pushing back again, but I'm sure they know I'd need to come a night earlier or get up at the ass crack of dawn.

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ChocolateSnowflake@reddit

And even then it’s 2-3 hours max. Full day is taking the piss.

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Distinct_Hold_1587@reddit

if the work can be done over MS teams then theres no reason for you to go in.

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Narrow_Buy8994@reddit

They're offering an interview over teams vs a trial day

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Distinct_Hold_1587@reddit

i read your other comment about it being an opportunity in local news. id say go for it! as you will still gain some insights to an industry you're trying to get into to. make the most out of it by following the people u meet there on Linkdn. and remaining in contact with them even if you dont get the job. because you didn't mention what industry the jobs for in your original comment most, including myself assume its for bar/factory work. However in journalism, entertainment, media, business to business etc... networking and meeting face to face is how you make opportunities. even if you don't get the job when you have face to face meetings you plant seeds for future opportunities. good luck!

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Dazz316@reddit

Honestly this sounds like shit. One of these shit jobs with revolving door policies for their staff. Some shitty commision based sales job with huge promises and no follow through.

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

It is a job in journalism. They expect me to come in with several ideas like on a typical news day. I strongly prefer MS Teams interviews as the 'first handshake' but I am trying to break into the industry.

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Dazz316@reddit

That does sound better. But even still. Taking a full day when they haven't even interviewed you is a red flag.

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

Yes, it does to me too.

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Perfect_Confection25@reddit

Seems like a much better way to showcase your abilities than an interview. Trial shifts in a chippy or whatever can be exploitative, but this seems more like an opportunity.

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

Yes, but I'm scared I'll do badly :D

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SpaTowner@reddit

Why did you apologise for saying hello? Don’t do things like that in your interview, if you can help it. Someone who apologises for saying hello won’t come across as being well suited to a journalistic career. Tbh I would suck it up and do the day, it will probably be a good learning experience for you.

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

I'm from a country where people are more direct in some ways (and cosplay confidence during an interview.. it's the only way I know how to do it) so I'm trying to be more polite. The cultural differences in the office aren't things I'm totally ready for. But with my lecturer, he appeared to be more responsive to my questions if I'd lead with an apology.

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SpaTowner@reddit

How is it more direct to apologise for saying hello?

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

It is not direct. But I'm not sure my natural tone will help me when I ask questions. I don't know how to code switch as yet in certain situations.

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Narrow_Buy8994@reddit

is it sales? It's sales isn't it. Tell them to fuck off, it's a scam to get a days free labor out of you

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

It's local news

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zephyrmox@reddit

Depends how much you want the job. It's not a great practice and wouldn't make me think wonders of the employer but if it's a competitive industry and you want in - you have to compromise. MS teams will definitely look less keen than going to the trial day. Try and ignore reddit's black and white viewpoint of things like this.

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newnortherner21@reddit

I'm not sure you can demonstrate how good you are over MS Teams. I'd want to go in and be paid.

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apeliott@reddit

I would only do it if they were paying me the full rate and the location was the same as where I intended to work.

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crapegg@reddit (OP)

The location is in a different city than where I am (and they can see where I am on the CV. It doesn't really pay well but it is a passion career. Would MS Teams make me look less keen? I'm worried a trial day as a first interview is vaguely exploitative. My location is on my CV.

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