When a recruiter first reached out to me, I wasn't looking for a job, but I was intrigued so I began the interview process. Right until the end, Hudl did a phenomenal job at keeping me in the loop of next steps. I can only hope that future experiences applying for jobs are similar.
First was a 1:1 with a recruiter. It was pretty standard. I did feel like it was hard to get a word in at times, but I hadn't prepared as well as I should have for the call, so that worked in my favor.
Immediately another interview was set up with the team that I would potentially be on. One interviewer was my potential boss, the other was what I'd call the brand gatekeeper. I was feeling confident and must have done well becuase a few days later I got a call to work on a project. I was asked to come up with an idea to promote a service of Hudl. I didn't like that they wanted an idea and a sample blog post, so I found a way around that. And they still liked it! I was even getting excited to put the idea in motion if I got hired.
Next, I was emailed to set up another interview with more members of the team I'd potentially be on.
That's where things went south. It was probably a combination of high stress at my current job, getting over the flu and just a lack of "spark" but I don't think my second interview went well. The team that I'd be on is mostly white, all male and very much gave off a "bro" vibe. I've worked in offices like that before and it hasn't ended well for me. There were questions about if I really wanted to work in a sports startup and if I'd be fulfilled in the work since it wouldn't be like what I'm used to writing (which is true). I think these questions came from a good place, but didn't come out right. One of the team members named topics that I've written about and sounded offended, which turned me off a bit.
There was also another point where I asked about metrics and that question seemed to ruffle some feathers. I'm coming from a goals/metric focused industry (advertising) so I wanted to know what expectations would be for the content I'm creating. I never really got an answer, just a broody "metrics are BS" comment. Fair enough.
Looking back there was nothing wrong with Hudl, as other reviewers have said, if you've got the chops, apply! It looks like an awesome place to work. But to another reviewers point, I got the feeling that maybe this place isn't a good fit for people of color or those with marginalized identities. I was on a big screen TV in my third interview and could see myself in the reflection of the glass office they were interviewing me from. I counted about 20 people who walked by. All were white. Most were men. I understand that may be an unfair sample size, but for me it was telling. So were the looks on some employees faces when they glanced at me on the screen.
In the end, a week and a half went by before I realized I hadn't heard anything. About a week after that I got a response. I didn't get the job.
Their interview process was lengthy for a job that only required 2-3 years experience, but I think to continue the culture that they seem to have it's probably necessary. It was a good experience, if nothing else I got to brush up on my interview etiquette.
