Home Assignment Round/Review: Part 1: During the Home assignment screening process, candidates are tasked with making a pitch to an e-commerce brand not currently affiliated with the company. This involves analyzing a provided dataset and crafting a compelling written submission within 7 days, typically in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. Unfortunately, in my experience, the rejection at this stage seemed to be primarily based on superficial reasons related to visual appeal, rather than a thorough evaluation of the depth of content, relevant use examples, out-of-the-box ideas, and data analysis presented. It appears that the emphasis was placed more on aesthetics rather than substance, which may have led to overlooking the true potential and value offered by candidates. Part 2: In the subsequent stage of the assignment process, candidates are required to outline a Go-To-Market (GTM) strategy, which raises concerns about potential data appropriation. Experienced candidates would provide their best ideas and strategic plans, including roadmap, innovation and scale. However, it's important to note that this stage could be interpreted as an opportunity for the company to extract valuable insights without offering appropriate compensation or recognition as the interview panel lacks the depth of experience and industry background required in order to govern this role. The evaluations on flashy presentations over substantive strategy may suggest a culture more focused on appearance rather than genuine innovation and expertise. This may also demonstrate the poor experience (currently Glassdoor rating is 2.9 & 35% reflects right) A tip for candidates: Consider researching the hiring manager's background and experience in the industry to better understand the context behind the request for ideas. It's crucial to be aware of the company's culture and practices, as reflected in reviews on platforms like Glassdoor. Time is indeed valuable, and candidates should ensure that their contributions are respected and fairly evaluated. Companies who focus on aesthetics over business ideas &/or who provide oneliners of feedback for 7 days of mid-week assignment work you put in clearly should be marked out of your prospect list in my personal opinion.