I was referred by an HR employee and was screened on the phone by the EA currently in the role. Given my path to date, she was very excited about bringing me in to meet the Exec in need (Chief Content Officer) and the role seemed like a done deal. I arrived and met with the current EA who clearly - and as she brought up more than once - was way younger than I. So much that she repeatedly pressed me to know WHAT YEAR I had graduated from my college. I reluctantly answered, as I didn't want to appear withholding. Hate that I did: I was told 5 minutes later that the Executive was supposedly no longer available to meet. The interview process went very fast to nowhere. Can't help but wonder if what I faced was age discrimination. I purposely leave my grad year off my resume for this very reason. At the very least this line of questioning was unprofessional; at worst it was illegal. Refinery29 needs to do better.

Applied online for the role and received an email the next day. Had a phone call with recruiter and was asked to come in that week and set aside 1/1.5 hrs to meet with someone from the team and the execs. The first meeting was 15 minutes at most and I was not asked any specific questions or given any substantial information about the role - seems like they were just feeling me out and I did not leave with a good impression. Was then asked to come back in a second time to meet the execs and immediately felt that I did not fit the type of person that they wanted at the company. I have never felt so unwelcome at an interview, but was happy to have witnessed these personalities before investing any further. R29 is undoubtedly a great company with a respectable mission and impressive growth. Unfortunately, an unorganized interview process along with abrasive personalities within leadership team may be doing more to drive away talent than attract it.