I applied to Direct Online Marketing after a friend (whose company was a client) suggested it when I told him someone from there was looking at my LinkedIn. The initial outreach was quick — they sent a Personality Test, which seemed normal enough. However, the process took a strange turn when I was sent a Cognitive Test consisting of 50 math riddles and puzzles to be completed in 12 minutes. As a seasoned marketing professional, I found this extremely discouraging. In today’s market, where the interview process is already demanding, it feels unreasonable to base interview eligibility on a timed logic quiz rather than real-world marketing experience or strategic thinking. Many reputable companies now ask candidates to present a campaign or portfolio — a far more meaningful measure of skill. To make matters worse, there was no follow-up after the Cognitive Test. For a company that promotes a “no-jerk” culture, this lack of communication and respect for candidates’ time is disappointing. Hopefully this helps others considering applying — proceed with caution, and know your worth.