I completed a recruiter phone call, hiring manager phone call, a 5-part writing challenge, and did an onsite presentation. Positives: - The recruiter provided an abundance of helpful information to help me succeed, including logistics for the A/V setup for my presentation. - I met everyone I would typically work with in this role, and got to participate in a live exercise that was like the work I would be doing - a valuable experience all interviews should have. - They gave me swag at the end, which was nice. Negatives: - Things took a very, very long time to move forward between rounds of interviewing. - During the interview process, there was one specific interviewer who made a couple of inappropriate statements towards me, including asking if I was a "deviant". It happened in front of other interviewers, so I laughed it off and changed the subject. Looking back, I wonder if that person was followed up on, or if other folks in the room also felt it was inappropriate. That experience gave me misgivings about the team and company culture. - I was referred by an employee who is close to the team I would work with. When I got my rejection, they gave me a fairly specific reason for my rejection (a lack of experience in a specific area) and said the candidate they'd gone with had that necessary experience. Soon after, I learned from my friend that the opposite was true - the person they'd hired had way less experience than me in all ways (in that specific skill, too) but was friends with one of the team members. It was disappointing to feel like I'd been lied to - they could have just said they'd gone with another candidate without giving me a reason. Though I had previously let them know I'd be interested in future opportunities with them, that experience changed my mind.

I was called by a recruiter at a time we agreed to, but she seemed distracted from the start. She asked me what I do at my current job, much like how every phone interview begins. I told her in detail what I do, including successful campaigns I've worked on and in what industries. She asked the same question again, several more times. After about the third time (she asked me at least 7) I rephrased my answer, assuming I hadn't been clear. The thing is, I can't help but think that if I had had a different recruiter, one who had not been distracted or rushing off to another interview, I would have made it to the next phase. I always make it to the in-person interview. Maybe it was me, maybe I had an off day. But I wanted to let other Pinterest hopefuls know that when they speak to a recruiter, make sure she has the time to speak with you and really listens to what you're saying.