I am writing a detailed review to save potential interviewees the unbelievable amount of time and energy I spent on this.
After passing the initial phone screening, I received a 4-page document with detailed instructions for designing a 20 minute executive level presentation for my formal interview. I was to learn the Smartsheet product to the extent at which I could sell it to a mock company. I was instructed to provide the following for a presentation: A page illustrating the value of Smartsheet to the mock business (the "what"), a page representing the value added differentiation of using Smartsheet (the "why"), and a demo within the Smartsheet product that included fictitious dates, numbers, people, and departments, and highlighted key features. I was given a real company to research and told I would be evaluated on 10 types of criteria.
I spent about 40+ hours learning and building a powerful Smartsheet project tracking Sheet to illustrate the scenario for my executive presentation, and practicing my presentation. I even went the extra mile and connected Smartsheet to Power BI for the demo.
In the end, only two of the five people invited to my interview came to the meeting. And the director stepped out to take a phone call during the entire presentation. So one person saw my work.
After the interview, I was told I would hear something in the next week. To make a very long story short, I didn't hear anything for two months, and that was only because of my tenacity in pursuing an answer. When they did finally reply with feedback, all they said was they had "concerns around the presentation" (which only one person saw lol), but that I should keep trying. Any and all further questions from me have been ignored.
I understand if I am not the right fit. I suspect I may be lacking certain experience for this particular role. But if that's the case, why not tell me? What I am frustrated about is the process, the crazy amount of effort it took (40+ hours to learn the product, design an innovative and complete solution, and prepare a professional presentation), the lack of respect in the interview process, and that I have nothing at all to gain from it in terms of feedback or what I could improve upon.
Potential interviewees, you have been warned.