I'm convinced that most companies have the application processes they have because it gives them the candidates they want. The reason the application process at

I'm convinced that most companies have the application processes they have because it gives them the candidates they want. The reason the application process at some companies is so one-sided, non-transparent and makes you jump through arbitrary and ever changing hoops is because that's a skill they value. Most likely, that's going to be a daily requirement of the job. Startup companies want to think they're hiring the best and brightest, so they follow the interview practices of companies or people they think are the best and the brightest. People who can pass those interviews are the candidates they want because, in their minds at least, they're Google quality programmers.