I received a LinkedIn message setting up a call with the company Director. The interviewer was very personable and friendly but seemed to be looking for information on how you would do the job rather than telling you about the job. Towards the end of the interview I was told the next task would be coming up with a business plan by the end of the week (the interview was on a Wednesday) to talk through on a second stage interview. I was given no formal brief on the task and given the time allowed I pulled together brief talking points with a plan on setting up a new function. This is was responded to a week later by a scathing email about how little detail my plan contained and not of the standard they would put in front of clients. To be fair nor would I, but the task was not to write a detailed client proposal. I was left with the feeling this was essentially a fishing exercise for good ideas. If this is not the case my advice to this company would be: 1. Outline the interview process from the outset. 2. Write a clear brief on what you expect from a second stage task. 3. Give appropriate timelines for completing the task. 4. Be clear about what you need for you business instead of getting candidates to do that for you.