The most awkward, and uncomfortable interview I’ve ever had. A room full of eight of the most pretentious people you can think of. Halfway through I realized this was not the place for me.
The process took 5 weeks. I interviewed at Bakery Agency (Austin, TX) in Aug 2024
Interview
I actually was excited for this interview. However, the ACD I spoke to didn't act like she wanted to be there at all. They record the interviews on Zoom, which was nice, and I was told it was to cut down on the amount of people you had to talk to. I thought I did well, I answered all the questions confidently and was well prepared, which is why the ACD didn't really bother me because I knew others would see that she didn't effect the way I interviewed. She acted as if I was a checkbox to mark off, not a human who was excited about the position on the other end of the phone. It was a red flag for me knowing that she would most likely be someone I was working under. Another red flag was when I asked a question about the values of the agency, and she responded that they'd "really like to win some Cannes Lions." If you're only in it for the awards, are you really focused on the value of the work? I didn't hear any updates from the hiring manager unless I emailed, and didn't get a final answer for about 3 weeks.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is a current piece of work/ campaign that you admire and why?
The interview process was disappointing. The interviewer spent most of the time talking about herself and her background instead of asking meaningful questions about mine. She often went off on tangents, which made the conversation drag on and feel more like a one-sided monologue than an actual interview. It was hard to stay focused and fresh, and I left feeling like I didn't really get the chance to showcase my skills or learn much about the role. Separately, she had what I can only describe as a fake niceness to her that felt condescending. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity for both sides.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
How do you resource projects--with resource managers or by yourself?