Applying to jobs recently and got this email from an employer requesting we put together a presentation that would have taken hours. It's “optional” but pretty clear they weren't going to consider anyone who didn't do it.
I don't mind doing that if I'm in the final stages of the process with an employer but I HADN'T EVEN BEEN ASKED TO DO A FIRST INTERVIEW, not a phone screen, nothing. I just deleted the email and said screw that. Got the second email 10 minutes later rescinding the request after some “much welcomed feedback” from the pool of candidates 🤣