Beware of the "skills test"! I was told this by an HR recruiter that this is one of the most devious things a company can do to anyone and I didn't agree until now. I was contacted by course horse after filling out a short, get to the point application online. I was told that from my application answers, I could be a good fit for the company. I was asked to take a skills test which was to create a mock up for a campaign and send it back within a few days. After my test was sent back to them, I was then sent an email informing me that although my work was great they were moving forward with other candidates. Which is totally fine because you're not a fit for everyone. But what happened next was what really turned my stomach. I've been subscribed to this company's emails for a couple weeks now to observe their style and how they do things. Not even two days after my work was sent and I was told I was not a fit, I received their promotional email with all of my ideas that I suggested in my skills test. First I thought ok coincidence but then when I looked back at all their previous promotions compared to this one and consulted five other people, it was pretty obvious what was done. Not cool at all. I find it very hard to believe that this company found someone for the position within 24 hours of receiving my work and this person had all my exact suggestions ready to launch a campaign with. What's funny is that I didn't even think to google about the so called skills test before I did it. Turns out that this is a very common thing that employers and big name clients have been doing for years. Never intending to hire anyone but they put out ads, require skills tests or projects to be done, take lots of ideas from smart applicants and never hire them. Really cold world we live in. Lesson learned. This was the first and last time that I perform any skills test for a company. I will do what I did when I was a freelancer. If a company asks you to perform any tests or projects let them hire you as a one time consultant and pay your rates for that project and if they like the work then you can move forward. That way if you are not a fit, you didn't waste your time and energy and you got paid for your hard earned skills.