A common question I get:

💬 “Should I do these free design assignments companies give during the hiring process?”

My answer? It depends.

Sometimes, a take-home challenge can help you stand out.

Other times, it’s just free labor in disguise.

Here’s how to approach it with clarity and intention:

✅ When It’s Worth Doing

If the challenge is:

• Reasonable in scope (e.g. 3–5 hours, not 30+)

• Clearly structured

• Tied to an actual UX problem they’re facing

• Followed by a conversation or review with the team

…it can be a real opportunity to show how you think under constraints.

Bonus: You get to test if you’d actually enjoy working on their product.

🚫 When It’s Okay to Say No

If it feels like:

• A full-on project without clear success criteria

• Zero interaction or context

• Vague requirements and unrealistic timelines

• No feedback or follow-up expected

…it’s perfectly okay to respectfully decline.

Here’s how you can respond:

“Thanks for the opportunity! Based on the scope, I’d love to discuss alternative ways to demonstrate how I think—happy to walk you through a similar past project or do a live working session.”

🤝 Aim for Collaboration

Before you dive in, always ask:

• “What’s the expected time commitment?”

• “Who’s the end user for this feature?”

• “How will success be evaluated?”

• “Will there be a review conversation after submission?”

A good assignment process isn’t one-way.

It’s mutual evaluation—you’re interviewing them too.

This is one of many strategies I cover inside UX Careerpreneurs—helping designers navigate real-world hiring challenges with confidence.

🟢 5 spots left

🕒 Closes March 31

Want in? Reply “UXCP” and I’ll send you the details.