Sending work product to a potential employer?
How unethical would it be to send redacted PowerPoint work I’ve done to a potential employer? I had a final round interview for a corp dev role and got feedback that the team wants to see some examples of positioning slides, buyer snapshots, teasers, etc. that I’ve worked on. Normally this would have gotten knocked out of the way in a case study, but for some reason they didn’t have me do one during this process. I’m leaning towards giving them a hard no but would appreciate any insight.
Based on the most helpful WSO content, sharing work product with a potential employer can be a tricky ethical line to navigate. Here are some key considerations:
Confidentiality Concerns: If the work product contains any confidential or proprietary information from your current or past employer, sharing it—even in a redacted form—could breach confidentiality agreements or company policies. This could harm your reputation and potentially lead to legal consequences.
Redaction Limitations: Even if you redact sensitive information, there’s still a risk that the structure, formatting, or other elements of the slides could reveal proprietary methodologies or insights. This could still be considered a breach of trust.
Alternative Approach: Instead of sharing actual work product, consider creating a mock-up or hypothetical example that demonstrates your skills. You can replicate the style and structure of the work you’ve done without using real data or confidential information. This approach shows your capabilities while maintaining ethical integrity.
Communicate Clearly: If you decide not to share actual work product, explain your reasoning to the potential employer. Highlight your commitment to confidentiality and professionalism, which are qualities they should value in a candidate.
Future Implications: Remember that how you handle this situation reflects on your character. If you’re willing to share confidential work now, the potential employer might question whether you’d do the same with their information in the future.
In summary, it’s best to avoid sharing actual work product, even in a redacted form. Instead, focus on creating hypothetical examples or discussing your process and approach in detail. This demonstrates your skills while maintaining ethical standards.
Sources: Be Careful what you write to HR (Real Life Example), Worst slides ever, Stock pitches for experienced hires, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/4-big-picture-things-i-shouldve-known-before-my-ib-internship-covid-19?customgpt=1, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/private-equity/any-others-dealing-with-competitiveness-among-associates-cut-throat-office?customgpt=1
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