Okay this is a horrible one, probably the worst company and processes I have faced. After applying online, I got a call from the 'HR' asking some preliminary questions informing my CV has been shortlisted. Next up they wanted me to go through an assignment, testing my networking and PR skills, which I researched well and emailed through. Next up, I was informed that my assignment was liked and the 20 year old something of a founder wanted to meet for further discussions. I was excited and prepared well for the same.
After a 20km drive through harrowing traffic and on reaching the typical start up kind of office facing the radical founder, wearing the typical 'just out of the bed' look, I sat waiting while he went through my CV. A couple of silly questions later, he said I was through and would be 'informed' later. Bamboozled, that nothing about my detailed assignment that they 'liked' was discussed, on my way out I called the 'HR', who then informed they wouldn't go ahead because I did not have 'start-up' experience!
Well, hello! The company and its radical founder had 4 full days to go through the CV before asking me to go through the process and no where was it mentioned that I was a start up guy. Were they sleeping? Or too busy playing dart games and munching on french fries while taking their hiring decisions??
Nutshell: A 20 year old something and $600,000 of investor money is not enough to create a brand and a successful company. Get your basics right people, before you dream of changing the world and starting a revolution...
P.S: A month later, got to know that the company has fired a chunk of their staff because they now want to restructure and rethink their business model or something. Well, please think through and ask relevant questions before you go for your interview. A bad experience and complete waste of time and I'm lucky I;m not working for them :P