Phone screens with HR and the Director of Partnerships. Dialogue based conversations, getting to know me and how I fit in the role. Conversations were pleasant, engaging and it is clear that they are focused on passionate and strategic persons. A reflection of their philosophy is required, followed by a simulated exercise. The entire interview process took 2 weeks, and their HR person was superlatively responsive, very timely.

Interviewing was an intense series of conversations/meetings plus a 3-hour work assignment. In the spirit of radical transparency as they call it, I found a disconnect between their stated values and emphasis on culture and what I gleaned during the offer discussion. Good culture involves knowing when to hire additional team members and ensuring work-life balance so that it is not an all-consuming sweatshop that is commonly found in the Bay Area. Either hire more or scale back on expectations. The most fulfilling lives are ones where you are able to see your loved ones, explore hobbies, and tackle chores yourself as opposed to outsourcing (is it any surprise numerous startups are offering laundry and food delivery services for people too overworked to cook and do laundry themselves?). Instead, the expectation here is 60 hours a week while maintaining that they truly care about culture and leveraging the positive mission statement to put their employees through the ringer. Causing burnout is synonymous with lack of culture, no matter what is espoused as their values. There is a reason everyone except leadership is in their early to mid-20s - no one else would subject themselves to such conditions with run-of-the-mill pay. The salary ranges are targeted towards those with 3-5 years’ experience so if you have any more than that, please respect yourself and run for the hills as though zombies were chasing you. While great conversations were had, it was albeit a disappointing experience in the end and I feel that I dodged a bullet.