I feel compelled to share my recent interview experience with RISE to help other candidates make informed decisions.
The process consisted of two stages: an initial interview with the CEO/founder followed by a take-home task. During the first interview, there was minimal opportunity for two-way dialogue or questions from my side.
The task involved developing performance marketing strategies and creating three original ad concepts. While I invested significant time and effort into delivering high-quality work, several concerns emerged.
The communication style during the follow-up review call was challenging, with frequent interruptions making it difficult to properly present my work. After expressing satisfaction with my ideas and promising feedback "by mid next week," there has been complete silence. This lack of follow-through, regardless of the outcome, demonstrates poor candidate experience and professional courtesy.
The lack of response after completing substantial unpaid work raises questions about whether this was genuinely part of a hiring process or simply a way to gather free marketing ideas. I’ll be keeping an eye on the ad library to ensure my work isn’t copied. If RISE wants to use my ideas, they can compensate me.
I would encourage other candidates to carefully consider how they share their intellectual property during the interview process.