The interview began with generic questions like "Are you reliable?" and "Are you punctual?"—hardly the kind of conversation that builds meaningful insight into a candidate's capabilities. The CEO then asked if I was aware of the "cost of living in Bozeman," indirectly acknowledging that the company's offered compensation isn't competitive with local living expenses. Rather than addressing this gap by paying a living wage, it seemed the strategy was to target candidates who are already financially secure, likely with pre-pandemic mortgages or other established cost-of-living advantages.
The technical portion of the interview felt hyper-specific and ultimately unproductive, offering little value or insight into the role's broader challenges or expectations. When I asked about their SMT (Surface Mount Technology) line, the response—"H**l Yeah!"—was delivered with an unnecessary bravado that felt more like posturing than professionalism.
Overall, the interaction left me grateful that no further interviews or hiring discussions followed. The experience reflected poorly on the company's priorities and leadership style.
