I applied to Hubspot through a referral. Initially there was a HR screening phone call, that was very casual and mostly trying to identify if my work experience was worthwhile putting forward for an interview.
The next step was a 30 minute phone call, there was no role playing or any surprises just trying to identify the processes I currently use for on-boarding new clients. Again this was very casual, the thirty minutes went very quickly. They were also trying to identify if my personality was a good fit for the company. There was some early forced banter, to see how I would respond/interact.
At the end of this phone call I was asked to complete an on-line assessment. This 'Test' as I would call it, is firstly based around Maths and secondly vocabulary.
I have no idea if they look at the results as a barometer of intelligence or job suitability. I am fairly good at both, but some of the questions would be of a very high level of Maths, you most certainly need a good calculator.
The next step was for a face to face interview, I was told by a previous colleague of mine (who didn't get the job), that she was asked to 'Teach' not 'Lecture' as part of a role play, this can based on anything you want. I would strongly recommend that whatever it is you are going to 'Teach' keep it very, very simple.
When I went to the Hubspot offices I wasn't met by anyone, I made my way up a number of floors in an elevator, navigated a few corridors and when I found the reception desk I met an young woman, she smiled and greeted me, it had an extremely relaxed atmosphere A little unprofessional), you felt as if you were about to go bowling as opposed to an interview.
After a few minutes of waiting at the reception, I was taken to an interview room. There were four face to face interviews in total.
The first interview was probably the hardest, the questions were not necessarily related to competency on the job but if you were a good fit. I was asked some very wishy washy questions e.g. 'If you were working here what would you do to make sure that the people around you were happy?'
I had to dig deep and talk absolute Sh*t! Part of the first interview involved the role play mentioned before. This was relatively easy, but I have to say the interviewer looked about as interested as watching paint dry.
The second interview was with the International MD, the interview was a breeze, he was an extremely nice guy, very personable, he came across very interested in me as a person, we talked about life ambitions, hobbies etc. But in a very genuine way, when he left he shook my hand and smiled in a very sincere manner. As far as I was concerned it couldn't of gone any better.
The third interview was with the top Account Manager in Hubspot, she again asked me some very wishy washy questions. These questions were based around personality fit as opposed to job competencies. I wouldn't describe it a pleasurable experience and not an interview that allows you to come across in a favourable manner that easily.
The fourth and final interview was with a technical consultant, again very relaxed he asked me a few technical questions and I rattled off the answers with ease. I wasn't sure if it was his demeanour of if he had other things to do, but he spent most of his time looking at the door behind me. I was thinking to myself half way through the interview, 'you haven't got the job, he knows this and is just following procedure'. He then started looking at his watch, made a few excuses and cut the interview short.
The interview room had a square table and all four interviewers sat at different seats, while I sat at the same seat I am not sure if that is an interview tactic or just a coincidence.
I got a phone call two days later informing me I didn't get the job and their reasoning was because I didn't answer the wishy washy questions very well.
It wasn't the worst interview process I have ever been to, but certainly not the best.
My overall impression of Hubspot was 'It's not all its cracked up to be'
One thing to note if you are applying for Hubspot, they dont like ego's. They may ask you questions like 'Do you think you are a sales superstar?' If you want the job the answer to that question is 'No!'.
Read Darmesh Shah Blog OnstartUp's.