Application Timeline:
The good - all virtual and no homework assignments
- Applied: Approximately 8-9 months before the final offer
- Initial HR Call: Shortly after applying
- Rejection: 2 months after initial HR call
- Re-engagement: 2 months after rejection
- Offer: 4+ months after re-engagement
Interview Process:
Initial HR Call: I was contacted for an initial HR screening call shortly after applying. During this call, I was informed that I would hear back within a week or two. Unfortunately, despite multiple follow-up attempts, I did not receive any communication for two months.
Rejection and Re-engagement: After a two-month silence, I received a rejection letter stating that after reviewing other candidates, the HR manager chose not to move forward with my application. Interestingly, two months later, a non-HR team member reached out to inform me that the job had actually been put on hold and expressed interest in interviewing me. The re-engagement email asking if I was still interested was addressed to a different name, adding to the confusion. The organization provided conflicting information about the HR manager's rejection, making it unclear who was telling the truth. Despite the confusion, I agreed to proceed.
Interview Rounds:
I underwent three separate interviews, each spaced out by several months. Communication between interviews was sparse, leading to long wait times for email responses.
I had the impression that they were delaying hoping to find someone better suited and/or cheaper than me.
Final Interview: One evening at 7:30 PM, I received an unexpected call call from HR requesting a final interview that week. HR assured me that this was not how they like to run their process (which gave the feeling that they were annoyed...). The interview was the same team from the second interview. On the call the team informed me that they had 17 questions in 60 minutes and to try to keep the questions and answer process under 2 and a half minutes. I did not have a chance to learn much about the role, project pipeline, or goals. After this interview, it took nearly six weeks to receive any feedback.
Offer Stage:
The organization received significant funding (over $100 million) and shortly after, I was offered the role, approximately four months after re-engagement and six weeks after the final interview. I was told I was their number one choice all along, which was confusing given the lengthy and inconsistent process.
There was no pre-discussion of an offer and I was surprised. The offer presented was at this point lower than my current salary at large part due to the lengthy interview process.
I received a verbal offer about six weeks after the final interview. The offer matched what I had initially put on my (rejected?) application 9 months prior, with no adjustment for cost of living, additional experience required, or the new funding they received (increasing the work load from when the job was originally posted).
At the offer stage, I asked if the role was dependent on the funding. I was told no, that the funding would not impact the role nor the salary, despite the role's updated scope involving executing on the funding.
Decision Process:
I was pressured to make a decision within about a week after the team spent weeks and months between interviews... At the point I began to feel comfortable I asked to review the formal offer. The offer letter provided 3 days for review, it was voided the next day because I had not provided an answer within a day, despite the letter indicating I had two more days to consider the offer. I was told the team wanted to move forward with someone who was decisive (which is odd given their treatment of me) and with someone who was excited by the offer amount (fair).
Conclusion:
Pros: The hiring manager was kind and patient, explaining things that were missed in the interview process and made time to help me feel comfortable with the team. Given the amount of red flags but desire for the role I was conflicted.
Cons: The overall experience was negative due to -
Inconsistent Communication: Long gaps between interviews and responses.
Inconsiderate Process: Unclear timelines and pressure to make quick decisions.
Offer: No adjustment for cost of living or the organization’s increased funding which made me nervous of long term growth within the organization.
Organizational Issues: The disorganized process and mixed messages indicate potential internal problems and made me question what the truth of the situation was.
Increased Anxiety: The many weeks between next steps and conflicting information from the organization heightened my anxiety and solidified my desire for a higher salary.
Poor Benefits: No bonuses, a 401(k) plan with only a 1% match after 18 months, no upfront plan for growth.
Final Thoughts: While the role seemed promising, the disorganized and inconsiderate interview process led me to question the organizational health.
