Now, what caught me way off guard four years ago seems to be a new hiring trend. Employers looking to speed up the hiring process sometimes ask job applicants to try out for roles by completing assignments. The company may then quickly be able to determine whether a person can do the job. While these “job auditions” can be small tasks, job seekers say some employers ask for projects requiring substantial time commitments. Some feel that companies are more interested in free labor than hiring. To avoid being taken advantage of, one career expert suggests doing your homework on employers, asking questions and negotiating the terms of the test.