I don't know if I would have been offered a position here as I withdrew my candidacy. The process was drawn out, unprofessional, and lacked communication. The company did not seem organized. I had a first interview and heard nothing for one month. Then, I was contacted by HR on Thursday Dec 22nd to complete a work request by Friday Dec 23rd (a little over 24 hrs) to "remain in consideration for the role". The appropriateness and ethical issues of unpaid work products aside, to give candidates a day to complete one at the end of the week leading up to a major holiday where folks travel or have guests or plans seemed like a major oversight. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for poor planning. Especially cruel, however, was that they included in that message "Our office will be closed over the Holidays which means the hiring team will not be available to discuss your work product until the week of January 2nd." So, now I have this unexpected labor right before a holiday which requires immediate turnaround but you won't even be in the office for over a week? It was extremely off-putting. They did say "If you need more time or if other issues prevent this from happening, please let me know asap so that we can explore options." But that's just not really a fair thing to say to people who clearly want a job, especially when the message began with remaining in consideration for the role. I completed the task within 24 hrs and when I turned it in, I received an out of office reply. In early January, I was informed I was in the reference-checking phase. At the end of January, with no further communication with me that I was moving forward with the process or confirming my availability, I received a virtual meeting invitation with no context other than the subject line to meet with the Executive Director later that week. (This would be my second interview, taking place about 2 months 1 week after the first). Honestly, it was a really sloppy process for an Associate Director - or any other - position, and it made me question whether I wanted to join the organization. I understand this is a small org and I believe what they do is interesting and important. All of the issues I encountered during the hiring process have very simple solutions. If implemented, they will be in a better position to secure top talent.