The recruiter, Gina, was professional and kind throughout the process, and the role itself sounded creatively interesting. However, the interview process felt overly intensive for the stage candidates were at, especially considering the amount of unpaid work expected through the take-home assignment. From a candidate perspective, the company seemed to be searching for an extremely niche “perfect fit” while combining multiple roles and expectations into one position. The process also left me unclear on what the team was truly prioritizing in a candidate, as the role emphasized broad creativity, internet culture awareness, performance marketing, startup experience, and highly specific community expertise all at once. I was not asked about BookTok or Bookstagram. I also think the company could benefit from reflecting on how its stated values around diversity and inclusion are reflected throughout the candidate experience and broader team representation. Overall, I appreciated the opportunity to interview, but the process felt more aligned with a company seeking a very narrow profile.