projekt202 Interview Questions
& Process

I had 7 interview rounds. First, a 30-minute chat with the recruiter. Then, a 30-minute 'craft interview' with the hiring manager, where I submitted a deck with work samples that they didn't review or discuss. Next, a 45-minute meeting with the GM, followed by a 45-minute meeting with the VP of Research and Strategy. After that, I did a 1-hour case presentation with some team members. Then, a 1-hour meeting with another manager. Finally, a 45-minute session with my potential peers. The whole thing started before Christmas. The final interviews were on February 1st. I didn't hear back for over a week, and then I was told hiring urgency was pushed out by 3-4 weeks, but that I was a top candidate. I followed up again after 3 weeks and got the same response. It's frustrating to have spent so much time prepping and interviewing only to get minimal follow-up. I would have preferred a clear 'no' for closure rather than this limbo, especially given the time investment. It felt like they were hoping I'd just give up instead of being upfront.

The interview process was really thorough, which I liked because they want to be sure you've got the skills you say you do. You should definitely come ready. The first interview was with a Senior Director. We talked about my portfolio, design in general, the company, and the role. Then, there was a 2 hour panel interview. It involved a deep dive into my past projects, a lot of questions, and also a 20-30 minute design challenge. Be ready to present your work clearly and answer many questions. For the design challenge, they're looking to see your thought process and how you can quickly make a plan for a new solution and then explain your reasoning.

I spoke with the recruiter after getting referred by someone who works there. They had to reschedule the interview a few times and didn't seem very engaged during our conversations. The recruiter mentioned that my skills weren't a good fit for the project. Later, the employee who referred me was asked about whether they knew any smart people from their home country, Germany. This seems to be the reason the recruiter was dismissive and kept rescheduling. However, it worked out for the best because I wouldn't want to work for a company that's not inclusive and judges candidates based on their origin.

The interview process was simple and not overwhelming. After a lot of multi-day, all-day interviews elsewhere, interviewing with p202 was a welcome change. I first met with HR to discuss the role and assess fit, then interviewed with my potential manager, and finally had a technical interview with my peers, the people who would report to me, and my boss's boss. It was great that my direct reports were involved in the interview process. It shows a lot about the company culture when the people who will report to you get a say in whether you're a good fit.