Some consider the work sample as the ultimate assessment. What could be better than having the applicant perform part of the job? There are two key reasons for why work samples are not common. First, few job activities are straight forward enough to be included within an interview. for example, my in-laws ran a metal fabrication shop and they would always have interviewees come to the shop floor and operate a lathe. If they could not do it, they were not fit for the job. In contrast, how about an office job that inspects paperwork for completeness and inputs data... Are you going to ask candidates to review forms they have never seen before and enter that data into a system they have never seen before?

Second, work samples are often costly to administer, take time to set up/conduct, and/or put the candidate into physical peril. Returning to the lathe example, the machine would have to be prepared for the candidate to operate it. Also, that machine could not be used for work orders while the candidate was operating it. Either of these two reasons would make a hiring organization avoid using work samples.

They key thing is to read the provided instructions carefully and prepare for the work sample. Take note for if the activity will be done at a physical location (e.g., operating a lathe) or as a take-home activity (e.g., manipulating data). Feel free to ask others for help while you prepare, especially those who have similar job titles to what you are applying for.

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🎉🎆 Happy 52nd Job Search Tip!!! 🎊🎇
This makes a year's worth of weekly tips. It has been an incredible journey and I want to thank you all for joining me on this ride! I hope these tips have supported you in your search for your first/next job. Please let me know which tip/s or how this series has helped you! I would love to hear your stories.