Values Mismatch: Extensive Unpaid Strategy Work for a Role That Was Already Closed Pros: Knowledgeable senior leadership in the healthcare tech space; the interview panel was engaged and professional in conversation. Cons: Tendo’s stated values of Accountability and Openness were not reflected in this experience. The process required a substantial “homework” deliverable (40+ hours) and a formal presentation, without transparency on role status. I reached a late-stage interview for a senior product leadership role that required a substantial take-home assignment: a 20+ slide strategy presentation involving original research, analysis, and synthesis, requiring a significant time investment. Prior to completing the assignment, I had a discussion with company leadership to clarify expectations. During that conversation, I was told the topic aligned with areas the organization was actively exploring. I later presented the work to a senior leadership panel. After the presentation, I learned that the role had already been filled earlier in the hiring process. The hire had been publicly announced prior to my presentation date, and the job posting was no longer active before the deliverable was completed. This information was not disclosed to me before I was asked to proceed with the assignment. While post-presentation feedback was positive and leadership acknowledged the quality of the work, the lack of upfront transparency materially impacted how I would have chosen to invest my time. Being asked to complete a large, unpaid deliverable after a role has effectively been filled does not feel respectful of candidates’ time or effort. Advice to Management: If a role is filled or no longer actively open, notify remaining candidates promptly and give them the choice to continue only if there is a clearly defined alternative opportunity. If extensive take-home assignments are required, scope them to a reasonable time commitment or consider compensation when the work closely mirrors active internal initiatives. Advice to Candidates: Before starting a large take-home assignment or presentation, confirm in writing that the role is still open and not already filled or paused. It’s also wise to re-check the job posting before investing significant time to ensure it remains active.