Houston SPCA Interview Questions
& Process

I sent in my application and got an interview. It seemed to go really well, we mostly talked about the company's views on euthanasia and where I stood on it. But then, I never heard back from the HR person like they said I would. I tried following up, but still no news or wrap-up. A few weeks later, I saw the job posted again, and still no word from HR. I ended up getting ghosted. The whole lack of communication and not knowing where things stood felt really unprofessional. Even a quick email would have been more respectful of my time and effort.

A recruiter reached out on LinkedIn for a Marketing Director role that had been open for a while. My initial recruiter screen call went great. Then I had a phone screen with the hiring manager, Jo, which was also really positive. The next step was an in-person interview. Before that, I did some digging into the organization's finances and talked to former and current employees. The feedback I got was concerning: negative Glassdoor reviews, a former boss saying they wouldn't return for any amount of money, and a current employee actively looking to leave due to an outdated PTO policy. Despite these red flags, I proceeded with the in-person interview as the recruiter suggested. I met Jo again, a consultant via Skype, and the CEO. The CFO and an HR rep were supposed to attend but didn't. The CEO was abrasive and focused on my job tenure, which I explained as strategic career moves. Jo was great, but the CEO's personality and the admission that people/culture weren't prioritized were significant concerns. They mentioned Patti (the CEO) was very focused on fundraising and the new facility. After the interview, I told the recruiter I was lukewarm about the role because of Patti. Five days later, I was informed they didn't think I had enough experience in program growth for the role, which I felt was a fair assessment. They also mentioned they weren't moving forward with anyone and were starting the search over, which seemed like another red flag given how long the position has been posted.

After applying multiple times to a position that had been posted several times, I finally got an interview, having not received any feedback on previous applications. I got an automated email about the interview, but it didn't say who would interview me. I interviewed with the CFO of the Houston SPCA. It was a pretty standard and pleasant interview, and I felt it went well. I never heard back, which might have been due to COVID-19 starting, but given my past experiences, I think that's just how they operate. It's a shame because I would have really liked to work there.

I had a really good time interviewing with this company. After I sent in my application, they reached out within 7 days to set up an in-person interview. The hiring manager was really nice and made me feel welcome, and they showed me around the place and explained the job duties and perks clearly and completely. The whole thing felt respectful, helpful, and well-put-together.