I had a 30-minute video chat with a recruiter and was asked to take a writing test next. I asked if I could speak to the hiring manager first -- especially since they reached out to me -- but was told no, I had to take the test first. This is not a great candidate experience, and a poor strategy if you're trying to hire top talent. I don't mind taking a test later in the process, but you came to me because you were excited about my credentials, and you won't let me speak with the hiring manager for 15 minutes before you ask me to perform an exercise that'll take me at least an hour or two? That's not respectful of my time. It was bizarre, frankly.