My first meeting was with the recruiter and right off the bat, I wasn't impressed. The recruiter wouldn't tell me the salary range for the position and when I asked questions, she answered them with an attitude and was short. She also didn't explain the hiring process correctly. I was shocked to have been selected to move to the second round, which was an interview with two decision makers. This interview was a bit better and I felt they were super impressed with me. A few days later I received a rejection and when I reached out for clarification (the email was somewhat confusing), the recruiter was short and said she had no feedback. It would have been nice to know what things I did well so I know to keep doing those things in the future. But, oh well. I think I was rejected purely based on the salary I asked for, which was within range but they probably went with a cheaper candidate.
I applied online. I interviewed at Coastal Community Bank (Everett, WA) in May 2026
Interview
I interviewed for a Banking Operations Specialist role for Everett, WA location and went through three stages: an HR phone screen, then two video interviews - one with a panel of two managers and another with a third manager. The process moved at a solid pace without unnecessary delays.
What I appreciated most was that after the final decision, the recruiter actually called me instead of just sending a generic regection email. It's a small thing, but it made the experience feel more human... And I really appreciate it!
I wasn't offered the role, but the process itself left a good impression. The interviewers were engaged, everything was well-organized, and the whole thing felt respectful of everyone's time. The way they run their hiring process already tells you something good about the company. The financial industry is a small world, and I wouldn't be surprised if our paths cross again somewhere down the line.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
The interviewers asked about my ability to work independently with minimal supervision, what my ideal team environment looks like, and how I handle accuracy and errors under pressure.
I applied through an employee referral. I interviewed at Coastal Community Bank in Jan 2026
Interview
The HR interview was great and very straightforward, conducted over a video call with the usual introductory and background questions. It was a smooth, conversational experience and lasted approximately 30 minutes overall.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me about your experience with product marketing