After submitting my credentials, I like the previous posts received a welcoming email shortly after with an invitation to schedule a phone interview. That interview went seemingly well and by the end of the call I was invited to come in and take the infamous 2 hour assessment. I did not get the opportunity to take the typing test though I consistently type 70wpm.
Based on their needs vs my years of experience in digital marketing, web and print design and several reputable letters of recommendation I provided them I was unfortunately not awarded the chance for another interview. I can honestly say the few people I met were very nice and pleasant but in my professional honest opinion, the assessment is definitely a bit much. Understandable if your company name is Google. As a company looking to hire a designer for the first time and as a designer who has worked for billion dollar corporations, the assessment given should not be given to everyone especially one with an artistic mind. Several friends of mine who are even more seasoned and experienced designers said they would NOT think of applying solely because of the assessment. Having high standards is one thing but having high standards based off of an assessment and not proven skill is another. If an assessment is a must then have different ones professionally created to cater to a specific position so that you won't have a test that's easy for a developer or someone that crunches numbers and tougher for someone who isn't a numbers person and is more of an open thinker aka artist like myself.
I do appreciate ROI for the opportunity. Though I did not get the position, fortunately a position with a partner company with ROI has happened.
-Reference: "Drawing on the right side of the Brain" Chamberlain 2014