I applied online. I interviewed at Shatterproof (Chicago, IL) in June 2026
Interview
I was asked to complete a substantial unpaid design exercise before being invited to interview. The assignment involved reviewing a 72-page brand guide, developing a campaign concept, and creating multiple deliverables, including a social graphic, presentation slide, and short-form video. Much of this work was already represented in my portfolio. Before interviewing, I explicitly stated that I would only consider a paid project. I was still invited to interview and was again asked to complete unpaid work as the next step. I declined, and after being told the team would discuss a paid alternative, I received a generic automated rejection email the following day.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Would you be willing to complete an unpaid design exercise as the next step in the hiring process?
Thank you so much for sharing your feedback. We want all candidates to feel supported throughout the recruitment process. For certain specialized roles, we include assessments to further evaluate skills and review work that reflects the role’s responsibilities, while maintaining a fair and consistent process. We understand this approach may not work for everyone and appreciate your input—we’ll definitely take it into consideration as we continue to evolve.