Facebook Post About a Stolen Sample Campaign Went Viral

A viral Facebook post has sparked a discussion online about how companies should use the sample work they ask their applicants to make. Here's what we know.

Every day, countless Filipinos around the country go online or on the streets to look for new job opportunities. The reasons behind this vary, including the desire to switch careers and not having a job to start with, even as the country’s unemployment rate eased to just 4.5% last April. 

Those fortunate enough to be considered for further evaluation in their application are at times asked to create and submit sample works. Depending on the position being applied for, this can include a sample article, graphics, or even short videos that show the applicant's skills and expertise.

Such was the case for a Facebook user who went on social media to share his experience when he applied for a company that ended up using his sample one-ad marketing campaign without informing him and even compensating him—initially, that is.

In this case study, we delve into what happened and what could be done by companies in order to avoid being called out like this.

A Look at What Happened

The Facebook user, whose name is Nel Joseph Mozol, published a post on July 15 detailing his experience. As part of the application process, he was asked to create a sample ad, and he did as he was asked. “So this year, I applied for a Marketing Lead for this food company based in the Philippines,” he narrated in his post. “After all, I believed everything was in good faith. The product specified in the instructions wasn’t part of their portfolio.”