Trust for Public Land Interview Questions
& Process

This interview process at TPL was a real letdown, especially for a final-round candidate. It had three rounds in total. During the second round, I asked about their onboarding process, and one interviewer just laughed and said I'd be on my own learning everything. Still, I made it to the final round, which was supposed to be in-person at their SF office. They told me to bring my laptop because some interviewers would be there, and others would join via Zoom. Even though they knew I lived almost two hours away, they gave me parking info. So, I drove two hours, paid $20 for parking, and got to the office only to find it mostly empty. I was put in a room and asked to use my laptop for a Zoom call with the hiring team, some of whom were in the same city but didn't show up. They didn't apologize for the commute or offer parking reimbursement. The interview itself lacked preparation; there were long, awkward silences because they had no questions and kept asking me to ask them things. I got a condescending rejection email two hours after leaving. Basically, they made me drive 4 hours total and pay for gas and parking for a virtual interview, and it seemed like the job was already filled. If you're applying to the SF office, don't let them waste your time and money like they did me.

First, I had a phone screen with HR. Then, there was a virtual panel interview. After that, I had another phone HR interview where they gave me feedback on the panel interview. Then, a second virtual panel interview with the regional team. Next, I had a one on one in-person coffee interview with a local national level leader, which was in a bad location and hard to talk. Following that, a one on one in-person with the regional program VP. Then, an in-person panel interview with the team that the position I interviewed for would lead. Finally, a meet and greet with the local team.

My first interview was set for Dec 6, but the HR person didn't show up. After no response to my email for over a week, it was rescheduled with someone who was about to retire. Then, my next interview got rescheduled (day-of call) because of a board meeting. Even after I gave my updated availability, HR scheduled it during a conflict, and I was asked to reschedule again. I had a decent call with two other women, but wasn't impressed. Soon after, I was invited for an in-person interview in Denver with HR and one of the interviewers. HR sent an invite with all the details. However, when I arrived (after an hour drive), it was clear no one expected me for an in-person interview. Even the person who invited me didn't remember it was supposed to be in-person. As I was leaving, she called to ask if we could just do the interview at a coffee shop instead. I declined, feeling it was very disrespectful of my time and situation. Because of this, I withdrew my application for the Institutional Giving Director role. I don't trust TPL's organizational skills or competence.

I found the job online and applied. They got back to me pretty quickly and I was asked to interview. The first step was a chat with HR, and then I had a panel interview with some of the team. I had to do a short assignment beforehand that was related to the job. During the interviews, we talked about my work. Everyone was really friendly, but unfortunately, I didn't make it to the next stage.