This is a tech company and they interview like a tech company. For a “Central Reservations Representative” role I had a phone interview that lasted about 30 minutes. Before that interview, I was given a list of articles and videos to read/watch to familiarize myself with the company. Of course, it’s not hard to watch videos or read articles but it was a lot of content they ask you to take in for a preliminary interview. After the phone interview, I was asked to do a written assessment/challenge. I was told I could expect this to take about an hour. It took me about twice that but I do think I may have been more detailed/thorough than necessary.
After I completed the challenge I was told I’d do a more formal video interview and was given even more videos/articles to read, including some that had already been sent before the first interview. This interview was pretty in-depth and multiple times I was told “That’s exactly how I’d answer that question” or “That’s great, that’s what we’d expect you to do” things along those lines. I was told though that based on my experience and what I was looking for in a future position (something with variety in day-to-day, something a bit challenging) this position might be a bit boring since it is an entry-level position. I thanked them for their honesty in telling me that.
During the second interview, the availability I was told I’d need to have (new hires for this role must be available Saturdays and Sundays) was totally different than what the recruiter told me (the schedule to start would 5 days a week with either Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday off).
Every I’m in an interview I make it a point to ask “What do you like about working for this company?” I asked this of the recruiter I had the phone interview with and the two folks who conducted the video interview with. All three of these folks told me “the opportunity for growth” was something they liked about the company, especially because they are going through a period of rapid growth.
I’ll just mention this, before I got the call I made the decision already that I wouldn’t accept the position based on the information I was given during the second interview, mainly that honesty it’d probably be too boring for me. When I finally got a call from the recruiter about a hiring decision I was told two things. I got great notes and positive feedback but it didn’t seem like this position would be a fit for me based on the schedule (which I was told two different things during each interview) and I was too eager for growth in the company which is ironic given the answers to my question, “What do you like about working for this company?” Overall the interview process was alright, I just really wish there was better communication between current employees at Sonder about specifics like availability. And I guess if you’re interviewing for Sonder, don’t be too eager to find out about potential opportunities for growth?