Should You Share Work Before Receiving a Formal Job Offer?

During a recent interview, a hiring manager requested a presentation you wrote for your current employer. Before sharing this work product, it is crucial to consider several aspects to ensure that you protect both your current employer's interests and your own professional image.

Key Considerations

Confidentiality: Sharing proprietary or sensitive information from your current employer can violate confidentiality agreements or company policies. It is essential to be cautious with such information, especially if your role involves working with sensitive data or company secrets. Always confirm that you are allowed to share any work products containing confidential information.

Intellectual Property: Depending on your employment contract, the work you created may legally belong to your employer. If this applies to your situation, sharing the work could result in legal complications, even if it is requested for a new job.

Trust and Transparency: If you feel comfortable, you can explain to the hiring manager that while you are willing to discuss the concepts or ideas in the presentation, you are bound by confidentiality and cannot share the actual document. This approach maintains trust and transparency without compromising sensitive information.

Providing Alternative Samples

Instead of sharing the specific presentation, consider providing alternative examples of your work that do not involve confidential information. If necessary, summarize the key points of your presentation without sharing the actual document.

For future interviews, it is advisable to bring physical or digital copies of your work to the interview. This way, you can showcase your skills without violating any confidentiality agreements. Bringing examples of your work to interviews is a professional practice and demonstrates your commitment to the position.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it is important to protect your current employer's interests while also showcasing your skills to potential employers. By considering these key points and providing alternative samples, you can navigate the interview process ethically and professionally.

In summary, if the presentation contains proprietary or sensitive information, and if the work is owned by your current employer, it is generally advisable to refrain from sharing it. Always be transparent and provide alternative ways to showcase your skills or the concepts behind the presentation.