Smokeball Interview Questions
& Process

The interview process was really transparent, smooth, and open. They communicated really well before, during, and after the interview, keeping me informed and clear about everything. The questions they asked were reasonable and fit the specific role, tailoring the interview to my experience.

I had an initial phone interview, then a couple more with the hiring manager and a senior team member. Scheduling was a bit of a mess for the first part, despite me replying fast to confirm, they later said the slot was gone so it got rescheduled late. The HR person seemed kinda lost and didn't really know the questions, like they got them with no context. When I tried to get clarification on stuff, they couldn't really explain or give any context, leaving me confused. I asked about the company structure since the intro was super quick and basic, and they seemed impatient in their response. Overall, while I was hyped about the product initially, the experience made me doubt if I'd fit in culturally and honestly I was relieved to not move forward. I think they could make the process smoother, maybe with better scheduling tools, clearer communication, and interviewers who are actually prepped. Maybe some questions could be a questionnaire instead of HR asking them, to save time and let candidates show their experience better. Having been a hiring manager, I know this stuff helps find the right people. They did tell me quickly they weren't moving forward though, which was good.

I was really excited to apply and interview at Smokeball. It seemed like the best company, product, and culture out there. I reached out to people on LinkedIn and even superiors about my interest. After two weeks, I got scheduled for a 30-minute phone call. When they called, the HR person sounded uninterested, like they were just reading from a script and mostly taking notes without much conversation. If I hadn't researched the company, product, and people beforehand, I wouldn't be interested in them at all based on that call. I tried emailing to even get a call but only got automated responses and no real replies. It felt very impersonal. This initial call didn't seem to fit the company culture and was disappointing. I'm still hoping to move forward.

I had two bad experiences with Smokeball HR. First, they did a phone screen, and I moved to the second interview. They said I'd hear back but never did, despite my follow-ups. The job listing was removed. I reapplied for a similar role, dealing with a different HR person this time. My phone screening went great, and she said I was a good fit and would recommend me. She promised updates, but after two weeks and several emails, I heard nothing, and the listing was gone again. It's a shame because I'd heard good things about Smokeball and liked that they offered roles for former lawyers. I wouldn't recommend applying to Smokeball; you'll likely be ignored.