Email question sent asking for solutions to fix an online video app. You submit solutions, and possible problems. I also went a bit above and beyond by including feasibility for each item after the answered question. After that phase interviewed with the VP of Product Management.

I got an email from the hiring manager about a scenario. After submitting my answers, instead of the hiring (or HR), a team member set up an initial call with me (the call took 1 hr). I was asked a lot about working experience and given some scenarios in Product. The interview was OK, until he asked about my expected salary for this role. I told him if I could give him the answer later. He said that it was to decide if they should move forward... That was a big turn off for 2 reasons: 1. He was not the hiring manager nor an HR. Was it LEGAL for a team member to ask an applicant about his/her salary expectation for this role? I felt very uncomfortable to discuss that with someone who was not from HR or the hiring manager. 2. That question sent a message that the company don't give a damn about what values a person can bring it and have no intention in negotiation. Then, I asked him about the culture. He seemed not to have much to say. One thing he said that "It's getting BETTER". That made me question about the culture.. Was it bad before?? Right after that conversation, I knew that the company wouldn't be a good fit for me in many aspects such as the people that I will be working with and the culture that I will have to adapt.