One of my kids is being asked to supply a written business plan for an executive job. Kid is well qualified for the position, has many ideas, is very familiar with the organization. Plan will be specific and good. It will be discussed in an interview with the department head, but will not be a formal presentation with other execs or departments. Kid is afraid that ideas will be appropriated by the department head without any guarantee of a job offer.
How does an applicant handle this situation? I’m sure consultants run into this frequently - great proposal, great ideas, no contract, but it is Kid’s first time encountering this. Can anyone help???
Kid has thought to emphasize proven past experience in implementing various aspects of the plan. Any other ways to approach the interview?
(Thanks for understanding that I am leaving out details of the field and job specifics for privacy.)
It would help to know at least general field.
D was asked to do similar for one job applied to long ago. She finally withdrew application on advice of her professor who thought she was being used
I did that once and felt like I gave free consulting. I will never write a “plan” or any kernal of any kind of plan even as super high general observations or suggestions again as part of a job interview. Others may feel differently but after I delivered it to them I instantly was mad at myself and I’ve never forgotten it.
As a consultant, the key question is whether there really is a job/contract there. If someone is definitely getting hired then you put the proposed solutions out there and take your chances. But if there’s any doubt that there will be a contract, for example (in a job interview) if they are not just replacing someone who left, then I would be much more cautious about giving them ideas which they might just decide to implement themselves. Then how much you give them depends on how attractive the opportunity is compared with your other choices (current job or for a consultant how busy you are with other clients).
Note that if it’s a written plan you have the advantage that you might find the opportunity to circulate it to higher ups if the department head screws you over.
He could put “proprietary information” on each page, not that it will keep them from taking it. If it’s a specific plan for their business that he wouldn’t ever need again I wouldn’t be as cautious.
I have had RFP’s handed over to my competitors, I’ve had my documents copied and used. It infuriates me and I had legal cause, but I knew it was pointless and could come back to haunt me within the industry.
I worked in a creative services department which often would ask for presentations from prospective advertising agencies looking to be hired by our marketing department. These presentations required a lot of work and time and, yes, ideas. While I don’t remember the department ever specifically stealing these ideas, yes, they did have an impact/influence on work we later produced without the agency getting hired. This is an inherent danger in this kind of hiring process where a prospect is being asked to work for free, with no clear protection that the work won’t be appropriated.
Thanks to all who have responded! It is very helpful to see Kid’s situation from the perspective of those who have been through this - and those who continue to face the issue. I was hoping there was some sort of insider trick that we were unaware of to reduce the risk of ideas being appropriated, but, I guess not. I think your responses will make a difference in Kid’s approach. At a minimum, there have been good issues raised to consider. Thanks again!