A few years ago I “interviewed” for marketing position for a REALLY popular animal rights non profit. For this position, they asked for a TWO-day interview to work on real projects, pitch ideas and to see whether I “meshed” with colleagues. The position was new and was to market to a specific demographic – “Latino market”. I actually ended up liking the team, but the projects were really out of touch with the demographic targeted. For example, they wanted me to pitch an event revolving around Cinco de Mayo. (Latinos are not monolithic; Cinco de Mayo is Mexican holiday, but it only celebrated by Americans primarily)
Since I was gainfully employed, I had to take two days PTO to interview! I turned them down but those two days lost left a bad taste in my mouth so that I would never interview or donate to them.
Cut to recently:
As a director, my last three interviews I've had have been MULTIPLE interviews spanning most times more than 8 hours, for 4+ interviews and calls with HR.
This was the schedule for last organization:
First interview with HR,
Second with would-be boss,
Third with boss and cross functional team,
Fourth with CEO,
Fifth interview with boss and direct reports (and one hour tour of headquarters).
They offered me the position in the end but they offered me significantly LESS than what I was making. It was so far off from even what I was currently making that I just ghosted them but all those hours wasted!
Just wondering…how many hours of interviews do people draw the line? Maybe this is for creative positive, like writers or graphic designers but shouldn't projects be paid for?