I applied online. The process took 4 days. I interviewed at XYZies in Feb 2023
Interview
Applied for job on Indeed, received interest by message (although addressed to a wrong name). Replied promptly, and didn't receive response. I sent a follow up a couple days later. A few days later received request for video interview without any other message. I accepted. Received automated confirmation the day of the video interview, which I also confirmed. Showed up earlier, waited 15 minutes and was never let in. Has been sketch throughout the process, and this is not somewhere I would want to work based on this experience. Save your time and apply elsewhere.
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at XYZies (Newport Beach, CA) in Feb 2022
Interview
> Submitted a resume and received an initial phone screen from Columbia (they have a call center there).
> I was told that I would be advanced to round 2 of interviews with their CEO.
> No invitation sent, so I followed-up within a couple of days.
> They sent a rejection email (on a Saturday) that I didn't see until that Monday.
>Read rejection email on that Monday, and replied by thanking them for the opportunity. Within 5 minutes later, they replied with an invitation to interview with their CEO. I accepted the invitation.
>The second interview was not with their CEO (Ramin Heydari), but with their second in charge and HR. Interview went well and they mentioned that they would recommend meeting with CEO; they made the recommendation and I accepted.
>An on-site meeting with CEO and his assistant was longish. Asked for my prior salary (violation against CA labor code section 432, but I didn't dwell).
>Was more interested in not hiring someone that would not work out, so he offered the possibility of working as a contractor/vendor (I/C) for a couple of months, and then hired as an employee. Why? Not sure, but possible inter-company political motives.
>I asked how I would be measured/judged, response was by Additional Revenue. This is exceedingly awkward since accounting does not drive revenues, but he insisted that he is an expert CEO and stated that cost accounting is the driver of all sales...Wharton, I think you're safe. I didn't argue, I merely acknowledge that this is his position.
>I sent an engagement letter to the CEO detailing scope, rate, joint responsibilities, terms, et cetera.
>After 4 days, I received an email stating they couldn't more forward.
>
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What's more important: being a good problem solver, or problem identifier?
A bevy of basic philosophical and tactical questions.