Advice on interview needed.

sham58107

Morning folks,
Applied for job went for interview basically a new product the company is starting to sell from parent company.

Met the senior people MD SD.

Now the people did not know the first thing about product development which is what I do. Launching new product to market and admitted so.

Got email inviting me for second interview but now they want me to put a business plan together and present it to them.
I have no problem doing this but what if they are just using me for ideas and get somebody a lot cheaper for job,or am I just being paranoid.

Advice would be much appreciated.

Mr. Loverman

sham58107 wrote: »

I have no problem doing this but what if they are just using me for ideas and get somebody a lot cheaper for job,or am I just being paranoid.

What choice do you have? Present a ****ty business plan?

Try your best and stay positive.

tenifan

sham58107 wrote: »

Now the people did not know the first thing about product development which is what I do. Launching new product to market and admitted so.

Got email inviting me for second interview but now they want me to put a business plan together and present it to them.
I have no problem doing this but what if they are just using me for ideas and get somebody a lot cheaper for job,or am I just being paranoid.

Depends on your skills. If you're capable of doing paid consultancy work and have your own set of tools or materials, then there's no way I'd do any work for free.

Silly comparison, but imagine going to a mechanic and saying "i need to employ a mechanic, but I need to make sure you're up to it. Service my car, tell me what you did, and I'll decide whether I'll employ you"

It would make more sense to give them a presentation broadly outlining options available to the company, and an overview of the information you would gather, and how you'd assess it when they actually commit to giving you a job. Keep it professional and pique their interest.

You could even bring along an old business plan you previously prepared for another company and thumb through it allowing them to have a glimpse at the structure, models, tables, etc.. let them look through it but for "confidentiality" purposes don't let them hold on to it (to use as a template). In effect you're saying "if you employ me, here's what I can do"

Spend no more time on it than you'd spend preparing for a regular interview, and don't give away your "tools of the trade" for free.

Just to note, I don't work in an area like that.. but it does sound a bit like they're trying to pull a fast one, or at least inconvenience you a lot!

Greenmachine

tenifan wrote: »

Depends on your skills. If you're capable of doing paid consultancy work and have your own set of tools or materials, then there's no way I'd do any work for free.

Silly comparison, but imagine going to a mechanic and saying "i need to employ a mechanic, but I need to make sure you're up to it. Service my car, tell me what you did, and I'll decide whether I'll employ you"

It would make more sense to give them a presentation broadly outlining options available to the company, and an overview of the information you would gather, and how you'd assess it when they actually commit to giving you a job. Keep it professional and pique their interest.

You could even bring along an old business plan you previously prepared for another company and thumb through it allowing them to have a glimpse at the structure, models, tables, etc.. let them look through it but for "confidentiality" purposes don't let them hold on to it (to use as a template). In effect you're saying "if you employ me, here's what I can do"

Spend no more time on it than you'd spend preparing for a regular interview, and don't give away your "tools of the trade" for free.

Just to note, I don't work in an area like that.. but it does sound a bit like they're trying to pull a fast one, or at least inconvenience you a lot!

You could send of copy of it yourself by registered letter or lodge it your solicitor. You could broadly illustrate the concept of market launch, quality system relevant to product development. You could create a consent form that forbids them from using any of your suggestions without a real job offer with T&C of what you expect.

sham58107

Thanks for advice guys, just one thing should I share my thought with them at interview(subtly} or not.
Interview is next week.