After submitting my job application, I heard back about a week later with a working session assignment to complete. The assignment focused on evaluating content marketing skills (e.g. social media, email, copywriting, etc.), but completing it did not guarantee moving forward in the process. About a week after submitting the assignment, I was invited to a first round interview with the hiring manager. The next step would have been a panel interview with the marketing team, but I did not move forward to that stage. After receiving a rejection email, I was sent a feedback survey, and I wanted to share what I shared in the survey I was sent: 1. Requiring a project or assignment after the application stage and before any interview is a lot to ask from applicants. It takes a lot of time and effort. If assignments are part of the process, I would recommend saving them for the final stages when there is already mutual interest. That feels more respectful of applicants’ time and energy. 2. Even though I was informed beforehand about the interview format, the experience felt more robotic than conversational. I understand the value of asking everyone the same questions, but the lack of engagement made it difficult to respond naturally or feel like myself. It felt like a one way virtual interview. The interviewer was kind, but I believe the process would benefit from a more human and interactive approach. Interviews are still conversations between people, and allowing for that connection can shape how candidates show up. 3. I was told I would hear back within a week after the interview, but I did not get any updates until almost four weeks later. After putting time into the assignment and interview, the long silence felt discouraging. Even a short update would have made a big difference.

A three hour working session questionnaire on surveymonkey, a one hour individual interview that was recorded to avoid bias. I did not get to the final round. I have to say with all the time and attention put into the process to prepare candidates, provide transparency and eliminate bias, I was a little surprised at how little transparency there was in my rejection notice. After giving four hours of my time, to get an email that felt like it was written for people at the beginning of the application process from a no reply email felt very out of form for what I experienced up to that point. Some feedback and at least a bit of personal courtesy would have been nice given the time and energy prospective employees are putting in for at least 2-3 rounds. EDIT: not only did they say they could not provide feedback for me in a follow up email after I requested it, but then they sent an email asking ME for feedback via a survey. I understand this might have just been poor timing, but I found that incredibly insensitive.