I’m beginning to question if the Talent Acquisition and Operations Associate role is real, as I've seen it posted several times over the past few months. The screening process requires candidates to complete a lengthy assessment, asking us to evaluate the company's employer branding, website, and online presence and suggest improvements. We’re also expected to assess the candidate experience, review job descriptions and the application process, and provide recommendations on how to improve—plus there’s a data analytics section. For a junior role with a low salary range (£27k to £35k), this assessment feels over the top. Other companies hiring for similar, or even more senior positions don’t require candidates to complete such extensive unpaid assessments. This approach feels exploitative, as if they’re using applicants for free advice on how to improve their brand and hiring practices. Candidates already put in a lot of time and effort just to apply, and this kind of screening doesn’t feel fair or appropriate. If this assessment is necessary, it should be adjusted so that applicants aren’t being taken advantage of under the guise of a job application.