Pros:
-The recruiter, Jade, was amazing to deal with. Her professionalism and the way she champions candidates in the background is unparalleled. Jade is very open to feedback about the candidate process and genuinely wants to improve it, so do not be shy to ask her questions. Jade was hands-down the best part of this process, and is someone PatSnap should be incredibly proud to employ.
-All interviews were scheduled as promptly as availabilities would allow, which made this a quick process despite multiple stages
-Communication is clear, concise and transparent and you are constantly made aware of what stage you are at, what stage comes next, what might be required in that stage as a pre-emptive warning etc.
-The team cares about retaining top talent and will attempt to move you into different positions, have you interview with different teams etc if they believe you are a PatSnap fit and not simply a fit for a specific team
-PatSnap continues to work on its DEI strategy and the recruiters can inform you about various initiatives in the workplace
-Interview Questions are straightforward, and not difficult.
-The team remains open to feedback that will improve the candidate process, which demonstrates a growth-mindset.
Cons:
-as a woman I was forced to interview with a panel of entirely senior men which was intimidating and not considerate of DEI policies, discrimination and bias that can exist etc. A more balanced panel is necessary to create psychological safety for ALL candidates. This is something PatSnap will fix for future candidates, but that doesn't change my experience.
-Leadership and hiring managers are not aware of DEI policies large scale, only seemingly the ones that affect them. A true leader cares about all people around them, not just the oppression and marginalization they personally face.
-This is specific, but the hiring manager I interviewed with perpetuated microaggressions against my sexuality and gender. While I believe this was unintentional due to their nature, it is a point of education needed within the hiring practice so that all candidates feel safe.
-Hiring managers need to be more open to questions about the assignment, and not provide responses that are rude, invalidating, or condescending to candidates. Asking a clarifying questions about a document that hasn't been updated in 4 years, does not offer a full explanation of some points, and is rife with mistakes on the company's part should not be met with a response of "this is inconsequential to the content. getting too granular with this task. Keep it simple, it's meant to be only 30 min." as there are better ways to provide feedback that account for individual learning styles, neurodivergence etc.
-The company is cracking down on location, and will only hire you within approximately a 1 hour radius of the set location. While most other companies are embracing a remote work policy, PatSnap is choosing to reestablish in person working relationships only, which is a less equitable practice and robs them of quality talent globally.
-The assignment given is the most extensive I have received from any company (and I have interviewed with 15+ now). In my opinion it is too significant a request for unpaid work, and for the time allotted for completion.
I was not offered an account management position due to location and an internal miscommunication about my willingness to relocate, and was transferred into a different interview process with a different team who did not desire me to move. I chose to remove myself from this interview process despite PatSnap wishing to advance me, as I no longer felt resonance to the position or how it would impact my career trajectory. I harbour no ill will, and continue to work with the company as a volunteer contractor. This is to say, this is an honest review.
Overall, I choose to rate this interview process as difficult due to the extensive assignment, and the behaviour of the hiring manager within the process. The questions themselves are easy if you research and prepare, there are simply a lot of them throughout the 3 interview stages.