Should You Expect to Be Paid for Job Interviews?

The LinkedIn News team recently launched our annual list of the Big Ideas that will shape our world in 2024. The ideas are informed by experts from a range of industries, including the world of work.?

One idea that caught a lot of people's attention is that job applicants will be paid for the time they spend as part of a company's hiring process. The idea was reported by Cayla Dengate , who is the LinkedIn News Get Hired editor for Australia and New Zealand.?

"The trend is gaining traction, particularly among businesses with a focus on social impact," she wrote . "FoodShare Toronto pays $75 for a face-to-face job interview , and UK-based Zero Waste Club's recruitment process includes a two-hour workshop in which candidates are paid $185 to attend ."

There are some solid arguments in favor of paying job applicants. First, it compensates candidates for the time they spend as part of the hiring process that can span several interviews and many hours. Paying applicants may also encourage employers to speed up the hiring process if their money is on the line.?

The actual practice of paying applicants for job interviews doesn't appear to be widespread quite yet. A poll I ran on LinkedIn found that 5 percent of the 3,116 respondents said they or someone they know has been paid by a potential employer for time spent interviewing during the hiring process.

The low percentage of people who say they've been paid for interviewing doesn't mean you shouldn't expect some compensation during the hiring process, though.

When Can You Expect to Be Paid During the Hiring Process?

Something more common than being paid for interviews is likely being compensated for sample work or tests you complete during the hiring process.

Vivek Saxena , who is a marketing and e-commerce executive, wrote that his direct report at a previous employer insisted on candidates completing a time-intensive case study to gauge their skills. "I decided that we pay candidates for their time," he added. "After the finalists solved the case study they were invited for on-site interviews. I got the checks prepared in-advance which were handed over during the interview."

Similarly, CEO Dan Grimland wrote that his company has been doing working interviews, allowing people to test out the role while also being evaluated.

Such tests or sample work is not unheard of these days. There is increasing recognition that people should be paid for that time —?especially if it takes up several hours. Yet, there are no known standards or widely accepted practices when it comes to paying people for that type of work.

However, you should feel free to ask if you'll be compensated for the time spent completing sample work or tests — especially if it will require several hours or more. If the answer is no, you can then determine whether it makes sense to move forward with the assignment or hiring process.

What are your thoughts on job applicants being paid for interviews and other tasks during the hiring process? Join the conversation by clicking here .

Building connections with other professionals is more important than ever for job search and career success. Yet, many people shy away from the process or enter into it with the wrong mindset. Annie Riley , who is a coach for startup leaders and the host of the podcast Who Got Me Here , joined me on the latest episode of Get Hired to explain networking's best practices. We also discussed how to make the process of building relationships as painless as possible.

You can listen to the episode above or on Apple Podcasts by clicking here . A transcript of the conversation is available by clicking here .

• How can you ease networking nerves? (By Brandi Fowler ) When you experience social anxiety, networking can be nerve-wracking. The best way to ease networking nerves is to strategize, life coach Scott Treas told Welcome to the Jungle . "The only way out of social anxiety is through it," he said. Treas suggests breaking networking down into "bite-size chunks" to make it less overwhelming. Click here to learn more tips .
• How should you explain your weaknesses during an interview? (By Brandi Fowler ) Hiring managers often ask "What are your weaknesses?" near the end of an interview. To answer effectively, first understand the question's intent. The interviewer is assessing your level of self-awareness, as well as company culture fit, career coach Rachel Wells writes in Forbes . Think about a challenge you previously conquered or an area of improvement you recently addressed. Share the anecdote with the hiring manager, emphasizing the steps you took to turn the weakness into a strength. Click here to read more about it .
• What's the best mindset to get hired in the age of AI? (By Gianna Prudente ) As AI advancements continue to emerge, employers are seeking workers who are flexible, agile and intellectually curious. These skills boil down to having a growth mindset, HR expert Amy Reichanadter writes in Fast Company . Reichanadter advises job seekers to highlight their experience leaning into uncertainty. Prepare specific examples from your career that demonstrate your innovative nature. Read more here .