Job Interview or Free Consulting?

Job interviews often require you to show your skillsyourself as a consultant, not a candidate.
by demonstrating how you would solve a specific(3) Are you being asked to disclose information
problem. Very reasonable... but what if you suspectabout specific programs and processes from your
you are being asked to address a situation thatcurrent career or business?
vexes your prospective employer. Your best effortsI would view these requests as a danger signal. Your
will help your employer while you gain no reward.manager may be testing your loyalty and ethics. If
When this happens, you may find yourself wonderingnot, you have to ask about this prospective
if you've been invited because the interviewer wantsemployer's value system..
to pick your brain. You sense they want your(4) Are you asked to prepare a written report?
expertise without paying for it.Be sure to write your name and identifying
Professional consultants run into this challenge all theinformation on every page.
time. That's why so many independent professionalsFrankly, I would take a risk and ask directly, "If you
charge for a diagnosis and preliminary review of yourimplement my recommendations, what will my
business challenge.compensation look like?" You will learn a lot about the
When interviewing, you may feel more constrained,company from the response you get to your
especially if you need or really want the job. Here arequestion.
some suggestions - but it is always a judgment call.(5) Are you asked for on-the-spot recommendations
You are on the scene.to a specific, complex challenge?
(1) Are your interviewer's requests common withinThis technique may be legitimate. Some interviewers
your industry?want to see how you approach a problem, such as
If not, recognize a red flag. For example, a seniorthe kinds of questions you ask. Your interviewer may
manager normally would not be asked for a writingwant to assess how you think on your feet.
sample. You have to decide if the company is comingBut sometimes they are facing a real problem and
from left field or if the HR people are incompetent orthey want to get free advice. Consider saying
bored. Your own boss may be unaware or unable tosomething like, "We had a similar problem in my last
change the hiring process.job. And here is what I did..."
(2) Did you initiate the contact through a back-doorBottom line: If you haven't undertaken a job search
or informational interview approach?for awhile, you may be surprised by your interviews.
As a mid-life career changer, you might be selling theA senior manager faces challenges you never
employer on creating a job, not just filling one. Someexperienced in your earlier career. Interview styles
experts recommend using the opportunity tochange over time. And your career may have moved
demonstrate your problem-solving skills by presentingto a new industry with different customs and culture.