WATG Interview Questions
& Process

I got a call from a recruiter and we scheduled an interview for the next day, but they didn't show up. They emailed to reschedule and we had a Teams interview that went well. Then I met the hiring manager on Zoom. We talked about duties not on the job description like running errands downtown, parking two blocks away, booking international flights for architects, and covering for other US offices. It seemed a lot for the salary offered, but I figured I could negotiate. The interview went well, she liked my resume and asked when I could start. I was told I'd hear back in two days, but then got ghosted.

After submitting my resume, I was contacted about two weeks later to schedule an interview with the Principal. There was no initial phone screen. The day before the interview, the Principal added two C-Level leaders, making my first interview quite intimidating. I felt overwhelmed having to pitch to three leaders and answer their questions within a 45-minute timeframe. The interview was conducted on Zoom, and it seemed they weren't well-prepared regarding who would ask what. When I asked questions about the roles, it appeared none of them were eager to answer. I have extensive experience in Marketing within the AEC and hospitality sectors, so my qualifications were clear. Subsequently, they sent me a form to fill out regarding references, requiring them to complete another form on some Saas tool. My references are busy individuals running their own firms, and the process felt very automated, like spamming them. I never heard back after sending the reference requests via email, so I'm unsure if they were completed. Additionally, HR contacted me solely to pressure my references into filling out the form, which I found unprofessional.

First, you'll introduce yourself. Then, you'll present your portfolio, making sure to detail each project and the software you used. Next, we'll discuss why you're interested in our company and if you've researched us beforehand – it's a good idea to check out our website for project details. Finally, tell us about your internship experience: what you were responsible for, what software you used, and any projects you worked on, ideally with detailed drawings.

This was by far the worst interview experience I've ever had, and honestly, there's not much to say. I was so stoked about the chance to connect with a company doing exactly what I want to do. I got to a point where I was talking to someone in HR who clearly had no clue about architecture or design. As I showed them my portfolio, they kept asking what my specific role was on each project and whether I was the one who designed it or just handled the detailing and documentation. They just couldn't grasp that I've been involved in both conceptual and technical design on many projects throughout my career, which I consider myself fortunate for. After they asked the same question for about the fifth time, I realized we were getting nowhere. It's a shame that this one person not only tanked my chances for a highly appealing opportunity but also couldn't have a productive conversation with someone knowledgeable, and did so in a way that felt really unprofessional and presumptuous. This interview was followed by two other interviews at different firms that were actually some of the best I've ever had. I even had to chase them down multiple times just to get the 'no' that I was already expecting.