With summer coming up, many students may be getting ready for their internships. Some of these internships pay; others do not. Although it may seem odd, working for free is not new. In fact, in this tough economy there appears to be a steady movement toward working without pay.
Gratis
In the March 2012 issue of Fortune magazine, Jennifer Alsever describes a growing trend of working without pay. “Gratis” work, as Alsever tags it, is occurring more and more, particularly among older potential employees.
In the current job market you have a growing number of baby boomers coming out of retirement or adjusting their retirement to part-time work status. They have a wealth of skills which can be adapted to various work situations. What employers are doing is asking them to use these skills and do a specific job.
Alsever states:  “Case study-style interviews, also known as situational, scenario, or behavioral interviews, have been common among banking and consulting firms but are now permeating all sectors.
Career experts say the techniques are relevant to even the upper echelons of executives. SHL, the world’s largest employment assessment provider, saw a 65 percent jump last year in employers using such techniques to vet candidates.”
In many employment situations, the above has its benefits for both the employer and the applicant. The employer gets to test the candidate before hiring him or her, and the potential employee is given the opportunity to garner experience.
There are some setbacks, however. Veteran freelancer Michelle Goodman warns that independent workers will need to establish some pre-requisites. Artists in genres such as graphics, writers, musicians are often asked to avail their talents and skills for free.
Goodman says such candidates need to qualify the employer. She recommends the following:
• Go for the high profile employer. She says that getting exposure has a greater payoff with the big buck employer
• Always get credit for your work. That means if you develop a project or work make sure your name goes on and gets the public acknowledgement
• Be wary of leaving a spec or draft. Many freelancers loose worthy works and concepts this way.
Bottom Line
Job seekers need to research the company to which they are applying.  “[They] need to do their homework,” says Devon James Associates’ Founder Colleen Aylward. If you are going the “free” route, be sure to consider the following:
• Research the company to which you are applying
• Be sure the work you present is yours
• When asked to complete a task, attack it— don’t back off the assignment.