Headline: Unprofessional recruitment process; lack of communication and scope clarity
Pros: The initial screening was straightforward and provided basic insight into the company and client.
Cons:
Unrealistic Assignment Scope: For a senior-level role, the technical assessment was essentially a request to build a full end-to-end ERP-style system. This is an excessive time commitment for a candidate without clear engagement from the team.
Lack of Communication: During the development phase, I reached out with critical questions regarding the project scope and technical depth. I received no response for 3 days, forcing me to make assumptions to meet the deadline.
Lack of Feedback: After submitting a fully functional Python (FastAPI) and ReactJS application, I received a generic rejection within 24 hours. Despite being a senior candidate, requests for specific technical feedback were ignored.
Role Misalignment: While I applied for a Solution Architect position, the process was treated like a Python Lead/Developer role. It felt as though the company was looking for free development work or lacked an understanding of the Architect's role.
Advice to Management:
Respect the time of senior candidates. If you require a multi-day technical assignment, you must be available to answer scope questions. Providing zero feedback after a candidate invests significant hours into your "test" is unprofessional and damages your employer brand.
A few things to consider before posting:
The "Free Work" Trap: You mentioned it felt like they just wanted a developer. In the industry, if a company asks for a "complete ERP" as a test but won't talk to you during the process, it’s a huge red flag that they might just be harvesting code or ideas.