Four step process: 30-min Recruiter screening interview 45-min Hiring manager interview 30-min Executive interview 2-hour In person interview with a surprise assessment. Individual interviews with hiring leader, executive, and a peer. As a seasoned recruiter who has navigated many interview processes, this one stood out and unfortunately not for the right reasons. I went through a five-week, four-round interview process with Siepe. While the initial rounds were standard and pleasant, the experience deteriorated significantly during the executive and final stages. ∙ My Zoom interview with the Chief People Officer was one I’ll remember forever. Not only was she late (which is excusable), but she spent the interview eating pizza and waving to people through a glass wall while I was speaking. Despite clearly explaining that I took a sabbatical for travel and professional pivots, the CPO repeatedly insinuated I had been laid off. Even after providing transparent context regarding my previous departure, she seemed more interested in poking holes in my story than evaluating my fit. I’m not sure why she agreed to bring me in for a final interview if she had already made up her mind (that is certainly what it felt like from the start). ∙ I specifically asked the recruiter for feedback or prep materials for the 4th and final round and was told there was nothing to prepare. Upon arrival, I was hit with a surprise technical assessment. ∙ During the face-to-face, the CPO unprompted explicitly stated that the CEO’s philosophy is: “We hire fast but fire faster here.” While companies have various management styles, having this shared with a candidate — without any context or prompting — left me questioning the culture being built there. I am very satisfied with the outcome of not receiving an offer, but I wish the decision had been made earlier in the process. A five-week process is a significant investment of time and energy; to be met with distracted eating, surprise assessments, and unsolicited warnings about being fired was not what any candidate deserves. I am hopeful that Siepe will take this feedback seriously and do better for future candidates, because everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.