Is BetterHelp looking for editors or involuntary paid research participants?
WFFH: When a client invites 269 people for a two-person job, is this a little suspicious?
This post is part of a series entitled “Working Fluently From Home.” Click here for the archived posts.
Writer’s note: On Nov. 2, the job recruiter invited me to the same job. They’re not even taking note of who they turned down during previous tests. I’ve declined and blocked this candidate as of today. On Nov. 9, they sent another invite. If this is a legitimate job, why keep inviting people who did not pass the editing test and creating more accounts to re-invite them?
When I first saw the job description for “Experienced Editors Needed for Mental Health, Well-Being, and Relationship-Related Articles,” I scrolled by it. The interview questions were odd. Why would a job seeker need to know which of Michael Jordan’s numbers were retired? On Sept. 23, I asked this exact question on Twitter. A week later, I got an invite for the job. Once I found out the company, then I was actually interested. More importantly though, I was far more interested in why so many people were not qualified enough to pass the test. I submitted my proposal.
I’ve taken editing quizzes before, and I usually sharpen my AP Style knowledge while completing them. But something was off about this job to begin with. The paid test is $60 to edit a “1,500–2,000 word article.” However, anyone taking the test will see there are links buried in several questions. While paid test takers go into the project thinking they’re editing one article, that one hour job turned into a three-hour job. My reporter antennas kept going up, but now I was curious how this would end.
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I completed the test. To no one’s surprise, they were “moving forward with other candidates.” No explanation. No score. Just looking at other editors. I have minimal issues with this. No matter how well someone does a job, there will always be someone else who does it better. But I distinctly recall asking before starting the assignment if the hiring manager would give me feedback, primarily because I saw “No feedback given” straight down the page.
Recommended Read: “Why I auto-opt out of fixed-price jobs on Upwork ~ For top-rated freelancers, I don’t see the appeal in fixed-rate jobs”
If you’re an Upwork freelancer, it is very strange for a client to never give anyone any feedback. The hiring manager (who self-identifies as a Marketing Administrator on LinkedIn, has no mental health background, highlights her cinematography skills and earned her bachelor’s degree one year ago) confirmed she would. Imagine my (lack of) surprise when no feedback was given — for someone with no background in mental health hiring mental health editors.