I suspect that at least one hiring manager who is interviewing for communications roles is just using the interview process to gain others’ expertise for free while the applicant pool is larger due to the economy. The roles seem to have been open a long time and being an industry veteran, I know the role is not unique, and it would not be difficult to fill. By the number of questions about how I would solve current company issues, I got the sense the hiring manager was trying to get consultant-level expertise without paying for it, or pass off applicants’ ideas or thinking as their own. Tactic of weak managers. Be careful about how and what you share while interviewing for comms roles here, if you care about protecting your IP or the value of your professional expertise. Seems suspicious to me these roles are open so long in such a hot talent area.