Beware: It's a scam.
I recently applied and wanted to share my experience to help other candidates make an informed decision. After submitting my application, I immediately received an email congratulating me for being in the “top 10%” of applicants and inviting me to complete a Cognitive Aptitude Assessment and a Technical Assessment. Based on my performance, I felt confident in both.
However, after completing the assessments, I received a generic rejection email—sent on Thanksgiving—stating that Files.com “cannot provide individualized feedback due to volume.” No results summary, no explanation of how the assessments were evaluated, and no transparency around how the data would be used or stored.
Several concerns prospective applicants should be aware of:
Opaque Assessment Process: The company requires candidates to complete cognitive and psychological-style tests but refuses to provide even a basic summary of results or how they are used in decision-making.
Questionable “Top 10%” Email: Being immediately told you're in the top 10% seems intended to motivate candidates to complete assessments, but based on my experience and others' reviews, it may not reflect any real evaluation.
ADA Accommodation Issues: The assessment invitation referred candidates needing accommodations to a generic vendor help page with no Files.com contact and no clear process to request accommodations—raising accessibility concerns.
Lack of Transparency in Data Handling: Files.com offers no clarity on how assessment data is stored, shared, or retained, despite collecting sensitive cognitive information.
Rejection is a normal part of any hiring process, but the lack of transparency and accountability around mandatory assessments is something candidates should seriously consider before investing their time and personal data. I hope Files.com improves its processes to be more transparent, ethical, and compliant with best practices.