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3 Ways to Use Consulting Assignments in the Hiring Process: A Win-Win Strategy

Using consulting assignments as part of the hiring process, Neuralink's first recipient talks, and the importance of preparation

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The Deputy
May 30, 2024

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But first a cheesy Sumato Coffee break:

Jenny decided to impress her date with French press coffee. She confidently boiled water and ground beans, but forgot to press the plunger. They ended up sipping gritty coffee soup. Her date laughed, saying, "It's like drinking coffee and chewing gum at the same time!" Despite the coffee fail, they bonded over the mishap, and Jenny learned that laughter is the best brew for any date.

In today’s email:

  • Job News: 3 Ways to Use Consulting Assignments in the Hiring Process 💯

  • Overheard at coffee: Transformative Technology: The First Neuralink Chip Recipient's Story 👏🏽

  • Trending AI Tools: Enhance Your Competitive Intelligence with AI Tools 🤖

  • Hot Jobs: (keep scrolling down ⬇️)

  • Recruiting Fails: The Importance of Preparation: A Cautionary Tale ❌

Job News

One of our clients recently started asking top candidates to complete consulting assignments as part of their interview process. This "try before you buy" approach benefits both the hiring manager and the candidate. While the implementation was a bit bumpy, I strongly support the idea of having candidates demonstrate their skills before making a hiring decision.

I've recommended consulting assignments to other clients, but few have embraced the idea. This suggests that many companies may not know how to execute it effectively. Here are some tips to ensure you get it right:

1. Offer Paid Assignments: Especially if you’re targeting candidates who are currently employed, offering a paid consulting assignment shows respect for their time and expertise. Clearly communicate the compensation to make it worth their while.

2. Set Clear Expectations Early: Mention the consulting assignment in the initial interview with the recruiter. Surprising candidates with this requirement later in the process can lead to losing them.

3. Provide Real, Relevant Work: Treat the assignment as a genuine test drive. For finance candidates, consider tasks like budgeting or forecasting exercises to evaluate their Excel skills. For strategy roles, a SWOT analysis of key competitors might be appropriate. If possible, assign real tasks that don’t require an NDA.

Relying solely on a few hours of interviews can be risky. HBR highlights the pitfalls of the standard interview process and offers suggestions to improve it with writing samples, gamification or other ways to test a candidate. If you have the time, incorporating consulting assignments can provide deeper insights into a candidate’s capabilities. At Ramp, we've assisted clients in hiring contractors for fractional work, always being transparent about the assignment's purpose.

For job seekers, stay open-minded about consulting work. It doesn’t reflect on your candidacy; rather, it’s an opportunity to learn about the company and for them to learn about you. When done right, it can ease your onboarding process and set you up for success from day one.

Overheard at coffee ☕️

Noland Arbaugh, the first recipient of a Neuralink chip, has shared how this groundbreaking technology has transformed his life. Arbaugh, a quadriplegic since a freak accident in 2016, now uses the chip daily to write messages on X, answer emails, play video games, read comic books, and even book hotel rooms.

The Neuralink chip, developed by one of Elon Musk's many companies, connects to a computer via Bluetooth, offering unprecedented functionality for individuals with severe mobility impairments. This technology holds immense promise for enhancing the quality of life for quadriplegics and others with similar conditions.

While I'm excited to see how this technology evolves and benefits more people, I can't help but chuckle at my own trivial tech issues. If anyone can help me connect my Bose speaker to my phone via Bluetooth, I'd appreciate it. But in the grand scheme of things, these minor inconveniences pale in comparison to the life-changing impact of Neuralink.

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🔥 Hot Jobs - $1K Referral Fee

  • LVT - LiveView Technologies (come build technology to decrease crime and make communities safer) - $1B Unicorn valuation

  • Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Manager - Confidential - Utah based

  • Systems Safety Engineers - Need experience with ISO and TUV certifications. Entry to Senior level - Remote roles.

  • New :

    • Revenue Director - Remote role in USA - PE backed and growing company in the Professional Learning and Real Estate space - The Colibri Group

    • Director of Operations - Custom Home Construction company in Park City, Utah

    • Sr. UI/Product Engineer - Need React, Typescript and CSS. Someone with experience doing UI Design and architecture.

    • HR Director at MRP - Park City, UT area

Recruiting Fails: The other day, I interviewed a candidate who had done no research on the company he was interviewing for. This was an immediate red flag. While the candidate had potential, the interview got off to an awkward start as I had to spend time explaining the company to him.

As a candidate, focusing on what you can control is crucial. Take a few minutes to research the company and learn about their mission, values, and recent news. This small effort shows your interest and preparedness, setting a positive tone for the interview.

Remember, the basics matter: show up on time, be prepared, and bring a good attitude. These controllable aspects can significantly impact your interview success.

The same advice applies to hiring managers. No matter how busy or experienced you are, taking the time to review a candidate’s resume before the interview is essential. Being prepared and thoughtful ensures a smoother, more productive interview process for both parties.

Do you have recruiting Fail Stories? Reply with your epic fails – we'll feature them. Own your blunders, embrace vulnerability, and let's all level up together.

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