Pocket Gems Interview Questions
& Process

I had a really bad interview experience with a hiring manager, who is a product manager and used to be a software engineer. The other recruiters were nice, but this manager was judgmental and rude. When I started the zoom interview with my camera on and a smile, he told me to turn it off. He answered my questions curtly and with meanness. The interview felt more like for a software engineer than a product manager, asking only engineering and math questions irrelevant to the role. I felt uncomfortable, unwelcome, and discriminated against. I want to warn others about this specific interviewer at Pocket Gems.

The hiring manager reached out directly via email. I initially mentioned I wasn't actively looking but could be swayed by a significant offer. Following three interview rounds, one team member's unprofessional conduct (asking to call me DUDE after I gave my name) was a major red flag, although the hiring manager and others were pleasant. They ultimately extended a low offer, despite my earlier communication about my current satisfaction and salary expectations. The recruiter attempted to justify the offer by stating I was hesitant to share my current salary, which I found inappropriate given their outreach.

This was one of the most demanding interviews I've ever gone through. It was a lengthy process that spanned several weeks and covered all aspects of my game design expertise. Many different team members were involved in the interviews, and there was also a substantial practical skills assessment. It was a wild and potentially draining experience, but it truly ensured I was prepared for the role in every way. It also highlighted my weaker areas, so if I were hired, they could pair me with a mentor to help me grow as a designer and improve the onboarding for everyone.

Applied for Player Experience Specialist. Recruiter reached out within a day, but scheduling with the hiring manager took some back and forth, about 10 days total. Had a family emergency the day before the first interview, let the recruiter know and rescheduled for a week later. The video interview was good, got more details on the role and discussed my experience. The hiring manager mentioned they wanted to fill the role quickly as the company usually takes a long time to hire. Had a second interview with the Head of Studio Operations, which I thought went well. Was told a panel interview would be next if I moved forward. Got a generic rejection email a few days later, which was surprising after two interviews without a direct notification.