Talked with recruiter, detailed explanation of job then met with head of sales. We discussed the role further but they had already given an offer to somebody who they interviewed prior to meeting me.

Had a phone screen with a recruiter which went well, from there I was given a task for a takehome assessment which was not too difficult. I spent quite a while on it making sure to do a really good job, only to wait three weeks with very little feedback from the recruiter to find out they had gone with a candidate who started the process sooner. A take home this early on in the process when things are not as likely to progress is unfair to ask of the candidates.