Unreasonable Interview Expectations for Senior Project Manager Role
Pros:
The company presents itself well online and seems to have interesting digital projects. The initial conversations with the team were courteous and professional, which made me optimistic about the opportunity.
Cons:
Unfortunately, the interview process was disappointing. After multiple rounds, I was asked to complete a lengthy “challenge” that required 3 hours of detailed project planning, a SOW and other deliverables. The assignment felt more like unpaid consulting work than a reasonable assessment of skills, especially for a senior-level role. This raised concerns about how the organization values candidates’ time and expertise.
Advice to Candidates:
Be prepared for a time-intensive interview process that includes a 3 hour challenge. Carefully assess whether you’re comfortable dedicating unpaid hours to it.
Advice to Management:
Consider revisiting the scope and purpose of your interview challenges. Senior professionals should be evaluated through strategic discussions, case studies, or past work examples—not through extended unpaid exercises.
