I interviewed for the Video Editor role at Nexford University. The first round was a video interview with their new Head of Growth, Ragen Dodson. After a strong conversation, I was invited to submit a creative assignment, not a skills test, but a fully developed, multi-platform video campaign titled: “What REALLY Gets You Hired in 2025” I was asked to: • Develop a hero video script • Pitch TikTok/Reels concepts • Create a moodboard or script • Plan the team workflow • Provide a distribution strategy across YouTube, CTV, social media, email, and their website I submitted a complete, professional-grade campaign. I tracked the email, and it was opened 9 times over several days. Then… silence. Until July 18, when I received a generic rejection email with no reference to my work, no feedback, and no indication that the project was even reviewed in good faith. Here’s the kicker: Nexford simultaneously launched a webinar campaign with the same title as the assignment (“What Really Gets You Hired”), promoted across their social channels, featuring similar messaging. They even reposted the exact same job days later, proving they’re still collecting applicants, and possibly, more ideas. Other Glassdoor reviews reveal a consistent pattern. Vague interview setups, information-heavy interviews focused on your current employer, “Homework” assignments that feel more like free strategy decks, ghosting after submissions, no hires, no feedback, no transparency. This is exploitation and not evaluation. Advice to job seekers: • Don’t send Nexford anything strategic unless you’re under contract. • Don’t expect feedback or clarity. • If you get an assignment, watermark it and protect it or rather walk away.