Interview first with HR Director, then interviewed by VP of Product Design as well as Marketing Director the same day. HR interview was pretty straightforward, but second interview was a little tougher. Whole thing took about 2-3 hours. It was a positive interview process.
The only thing is that I wish was that the follow-up response had given me some more honest feedback. "Unfortunately, we have decided to go another direction," which everyone knows is just a nice way saying you didn't get the job. The online position listing remained unscathed, so I don't know what the directional change could have been. After all the work, time, and energy preparing my portfolio, redesigning my resume and cover letter, and taking the entire day off work to be interviewed, receiving an ambiguous one-sentence response was honestly a little disheartening. I don't have an arts degree, much experience in UI/UX, and probably made some mistakes in the interview, so I completely understand why I wasn't hired. However, most applicants will appreciate truthful feedback much more than being "let down easy," despite the good intentions of avoiding a bruised ego. It gives us some clarity and also something to work towards.
Nevertheless, it was still a very positive experience because everyone I met there was welcoming and warm and it opened my eyes to things happening in the fast-paced tech industry. It also really drove a fire under me to get more training - I'm currently enrolled in an intensive online UI course. So many good things came out of this. I do appreciate the experience and opportunity and wish you all the very best.