I applied online. The process took 8 weeks. I interviewed at Lean In (Palo Alto, CA) in Feb 2023
Interview
I interviewed in March and April of 2023. I applied on LinkedIn and heard back about a week later. The stages of the interview process are: meeting with Hiring Manager, Values Interview, Assignment Presentation, and meeting with CEO/Co-founder.
I made it to the Assignment Presentation stage and was rejected after completing the assignment. They ask you to read an academic article and summarize key findings, as well as write a research summary with topics to explore further in an hour (this is a lot of work for an hour, and not accessible to candidates with extra-time accommodations considering you aren’t being compensated for your work).
Their assignment had this note at the top: “As part of this assignment, we’ll ask you to share your ideas regarding SGFF’s ongoing work. Since we review and discuss many candidates’ assignments, we cannot guarantee that your specific ideas will remain confidential. Consider this before submitting any information that you deem confidential or proprietary. In addition, keep in mind that we may already be developing ideas similar to yours. Any overlap between your assignment and the materials we produce in the future is coincidental.”
I read this and it worried me, but I did my best on the assignment anyway. A disclaimer defending the (coincidental) use of candidates' work before the assignment has even started? A major red flag I wish I took more seriously. After submitting, my assignment was referenced on their public platforms without credit or proper citation (coincidental, I guess?).
I got a very bad feeling about Lean In after this. This process was antithetical to their "values" of empowering women, and bringing attention to how women are often burdened with unpaid work and don’t get credit for their work in the workplace. Not to mention, in the research field, proper accreditation is essential to back up your claims and be taken seriously.
Are they using the interview process to poach work from candidates? They certainly are posting and reposting their open jobs... To other candidates, I would be wary of this. Consider presenting your work orally or drafting an NDA. I saw another interview review on Glassdoor of SGFF which recommended this, and I wish I took their advice.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is your experience with DEI and how would you push Lean In to be more diverse?
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Lean In (San Diego, CA) in Apr 2023
Interview
Found position on LinkedIn, applied, included a simple cover letter. A week later, got interview request- booked for following week. Described interview process: - Initial interview w recruiter + marketing lead - Values interview - Presentation project - Interview to present presentation project - Interview w CEO Interviews were friendly, and also seemed distracted. Overall straightforward experience. First interview was set to be 45mins, but ended before that. Felt like they only had a handful of questions, so definitly didn't warrant that wide a window, but maybe we just didn't connect.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
- Give an example of a time you used inclusive language? - What areas of marketing are you strong in, what less so? - Favorite Lean In program? - Give an example of when your day to day responsibilities changed?
I applied online. I interviewed at Lean In in Jun 2021
Interview
Did a lot of prep/research for a Zoom interview after a couple weeks post-application. Interviewer told me to expect to hear about next steps the following day. I sent a thank you note and heard nothing. Sent a follow up email a week later and still heard nothing. I have some experience with interviewing/filling a position, and the one thing I was very mindful about avoiding, was ghosting people. It requires a lot of effort and interest and emotion to get to and through the interview process for a position you are interested in, and it is highly disrespectful and and plain rude to completely ignore applicants AND to dangle a carrot by saying you'll reach out to them the day after their interview.
