Doner Interview Questions
& Process

The process started with me providing my availability for a 30-minute interview. About a week later, I was asked again for my availability for a second interview, this time with two other people from the company. They let me know the final decision around two weeks after that second interview.

I was introduced to Doner by a headhunter I knew. After some initial phone calls, they wanted me to fly out to Southfield. They paid for a hotel near the office. I met with everyone, and the ECD really made me feel wanted. I flew home, and then they wanted me to fly out again to meet with more of the agency's higher-ups. It was a full day of meeting people who were all very enthusiastic about me joining. They took me to lunch and showed me around areas to live. The agency head was super excited and even invited me on his boat. We agreed on the salary and shook hands. I flew home, expecting the offer letter in a few days, and we started planning our move to Michigan. But the offer letter never came. They ghosted me and the headhunter. This was the worst experience I've had in this business.

I had a conversation about my portfolio and work history with a creative director. He seemed really excited about the possibility of me joining his team and the agency, and he verbally agreed to the salary I felt I deserved. I was assured they could definitely meet my salary expectations, but after we verbally agreed on the offer, Doner came back weeks later and offered me $25,000 less than we agreed. I later found out from a few people that this was something they commonly did, and they consistently took $25,000 off a verbally agreed amount.

The phone interview was super short, maybe under 10 minutes. They asked about my goals for the job. Even though I don't really want to work reception, I'm willing to do it to get a start. When we got to salary, I said I was looking for around $30,000, which is more than I make now and seems fair. But she said the pay is about $27,000. She seemed to get where I was coming from, but after I sent a thank you and a follow-up, I never heard back. So, maybe don't ask for too much money. She also didn't let me ask any questions at the end.