Specific Role: Smartly Launchpad (Product Designer) - Entry-Level Program I applied with a few years of industry experience, but intentionally targeted this entry-level Launchpad program, as I met the "hands-on experience" and "recently completed degree" requirements. The Interview Process: The process was generally quick, professional, and well-organized, typically following these steps: - Recruiter interview - Design challenge - Final Interview(s) with Hiring Team/Manager: The Discrepancy: - The core issue was a significant disconnect between the program's advertised level and the final hiring criteria. - The job description explicitly stated the Launchpad program is designed for recent graduates and is not the right fit for candidates with "several years of full-time industry experience." I got the interview anw since I’m changing the industry. - However, the final rejection feedback indicated the hiring team was seeking candidates who already demonstrated "more end-to-end ownership of product outcomes." No definition of “more” and not even mention in the JD.

Some months ago, I applied for a Product Designer role. I had an initial interview with a recruiter and given my background, I got proposed to apply for a User Researcher role which was a unique role for Smartly back then. Moving forward, I spoke with a Design Lead, and I was told that I should apply for the User Researcher role. Eventually, I applied for both Product Designer plus User Researcher roles. In time I started realizing that the company is not accustomed to people applying for multiple roles and the preparations were poorly executed. For example, I was ensured that I would start interviewing for the researcher role, whereas in reality, I started interviewing for the product designer role (split into 3-4 stages). Because of that, I was not well prepared. Simultaneously one of their recruiters casually added me on Linkedin (n.b. that felt intrusive), and I took the opportunity to ask the following: 'Should I fail the product designer interview, would that automatically disqualify me from the user researcher role?' I was assured that it wouldn't be the case at all. Furthermore, the main recruiter I liaise with, informed me that preparations for the user researcher interview are underway and that the team is preparing to interview me for the User Researcher role. Days later, I had a design sparring session with 2 designers. Before that, I received a brief stating the objective of the task, alongside the assessment criteria. As such the designers wanted to observe my problem-solving skills within a 45min time frame. The brief explicitly stated that my visual design skills would not be assessed. To conclude - I got rejected for the product designer role because I didn't display ample visual design skills, a reason contradicting the task brief they wrote. As for the user researcher role, I was never interviewed despite their constant reassurance that preparations were underway following their invitation to apply for that very role. To conclude, don't be surprised if you encounter contradictions, poor clarification, should you ever get decide to apply at Smartly Finland. My recommendation - simply stay away! They are not worth your time.