I was contacted by HR only after my acquaintance physically put my resume on their desk (they don't seem to review online applications ever). I think had an interview with the marketing manager and the events coordinator. Everyone was very casual and outgoing, and I left after 2 hours feeling confident. They gave me an assignment that required reading a novel and writing a marketing plan on it, with the deadline being two days later. I submitted it the next day. I was then ignored by HR, despite weekly check up emails, for A MONTH AND A HALF. When they finally did get back to me it was to say they hired internally (something it seems happens a fair bit).