I recently encountered a concerning trend while applying for digital marketing roles. For two positions, I was asked to create content as part of the interview process, which made me question if this is a red flag. In the first instance, the company required me to produce a reel promoting an event gallery, write a caption for that reel, and design an event graphic, all while adhering to their brand guidelines. In the second case, just two days before my interview, I was tasked with creating a reel for another event, but they provided no details about the event and did not allow me to attend or record it. I had to submit a caption and a graphic for a post and story by 9 AM on the day of the interview. I have a substantial portfolio showcasing my editing style and previous work, so I’m left wondering if this is becoming the norm in content roles or if I should view it as a red flag indicating they want free work from candidates.