How much time and resources should you invest in a potential job?

A recruiter recently admitted a preference for people who take up their products and services before coming in for an interview.

I thought it was a way of ensuring they recruit someone well familiar with the product. While I had researched the company, I had not gone as far as purchasing their products. 

After the interview, I went back to the company website and looked at purchasing options. I didn’t subscribe. Why? 

1. Cost. 

While the cost was not necessarily outrageous, as an unemployed person I was still juggling between rent, food and even the cost of transport to the interview. Moreover, I was going to invest in service just to see how it works.

What if I did not get the job? I will have paid for something that didn’t bring food on the table which means I would have struggled for the next couple of days. 

2. Relevance. 

Other than the need to understand their operations, the products and services were not something I would use any other time. If I had subscribed, I might have ended up stuck with a monthly/yearly subscription that was of no use to me. 

To show commitment, I created an account with the service.

The following day, they called and asked what I thought about the services after they noticed I had opened an account. I told them I had not gone through with purchasing and they requested me to call back with feedback once I had fully taken up the service.

I didn’t; not only because I never purchased the service, but also because I felt like I was being used for free analytics. 

Thing is, I never got the job. It got me thinking, what if I had subscribed? What would I have done with the services after? What would I have done about the money? 

Ideally, people will tell you that this is common practice. That a job candidate should do whatever they can to make sure they are in favor of the recruiter to get the job.

In some cases, this has meant taking a trip across the country, buying tools you would need in case you get the job e.g laptop, buying the company’s products and even new clothes. 

However, professionals say you should consider the following; How much is the job worth to you? Do you think it will be a worthwhile investment? Allow me to add, what is the potential of getting that job? 

As a job seeker, there are interviews or opportunities that I have applied for that I was very excited about and applied to with my whole heart.

I ticked all the boxes in their requirements, the job was exactly what I was looking for and I could see my growth in the company.

I could have easily taken a trip across the country or globe for the opportunity. However, there are other jobs I have applied for only because I fit the profile, but they didn’t excite me; it would have paid the bills and that’s it. I wouldn’t travel or invest that much for the interview process until I get hired. 

Being unemployed is tough for any job seeker right now.

However, spending resources on an interview that has a minimum potential to hire or not worth the effort is disappointing.

It may discourage you from job hunting or investing the right energy in a great opportunity in the future. 

Before taking an overnight or full-day(s) trip for an interview, ensure that the job is worth it and the opportunity is exciting enough to invest.

Before committing time and buying that product, make sure the benefits outweigh the costs. Additionally, always do your full research about the company.

Make sure the company is legit and that the job advertised is real to avoid getting duped or stuck in a foreign town for nothing.