Company asked me to do recorded interview and submit work samples before actual interview

I’ve interviewed for this company twice before and one other time was for the same department I’m interviewing for now. But for this role, the order is way different.

The first role order was: recruiter call —> hiring manager interview —> assessment —> work samples —> final interview —> decision.

This one is with the same recruiter, who told me after rejecting me from the last role that more would be opening up soon in the same department and she encouraged me to apply and reach back out once I did.

So this time I haven’t even spoken to her yet, it’s been: short recorded interview responses (4 questions) —> work samples and nothing else yet.

It feels kind of strange that I haven’t even spoken to a person about this role yet but it would also be strange to go through the entire process with the same team again. I also have a referral for this role from someone who works for the brand the job is with.