I got approached by them for the role of Product Manager - Financial Crime. Initial screening with HR. I was then handed an anonymised dataset to analyse for fraudsters as part of a challenge with a one-week deadline. Followed by two half-hour interviews with two persons at director and above levels.
I produced an extensive report for the challenge, which included among others: two simple practical algorithms to detect certain fraud typologies (coded in Python using an array of data related libraries and including Bayesian elements), one Machine Learning classification algorithm (coded in Scikit, a somewhat "exotic" version of a popular algorithm due to the dataset's specifics), a number of new tech and old traditional methods used in the industry and a framework of how to properly prioritise (it was a PdM role).
Despite all this, during the interview when we were supposed to discuss the report, I got asked whether and how I know Machine Learning/Data Science! Based on this, the only possible conclusions I can draw are: 1) my report has not been read throughout and/or 2) it was read but the ML-related content was not understood. Note: I am pretty sure my methods were correct, it's not magic, it's Data Science (I got a PhD in Computer Science) and there are always ways to confirm.
In addition, of all the above, the only two pieces of feedback I got on the report were: 1) A mistake in the characterisation of one of the several attributes included in the dataset. 2) Even more surprisingly with all the code described previously which detected fraudsters and classified their typology, I was told I am not hands-on enough (and this was a PdM role).
My tip to senior interviewees: When interviewing for a small/medium company, as a first step insist on interviewing online (Skype/Hangouts etc.) with a senior person within the company just after the initial HR screening, and before doing any tests, challenges, on-site interviews etc. It may save you time for a number of reasons like you are too expensive for them.
Neutral overall experience because the hands-on project was good fun and their HR was good.