After a brief 30 minute phone screen with the hiring manager, the HR recruiter sent me two 5,000-unit proprietary datasets. Hilariously, I was asked to run it through SPSS or Stata, analyze the datasets, compose a report about it, and include a copy of my code. I informed the recruiter I am available at my standard $70/hour consulting rate, or I could provide samples of past work that wouldn't be able to be used in a real-life setting, or I could verbally walk through how I would go about producing the requested analysis. They declined to pursue my candidacy further.
This organization seems on the up-and-up, great reviews, a good culture, but some shady recruiting practices. Why are you sending randos your proprietary data? Oh right -- free work!