After applying on the website I was contacted by HR to have a phone interview. The phone interview involved how I found out about Addepar and a review of my work experience. Shortly after I was asked to come onsite for an interview. Since this wasn't a technical role, the questions revolved more around my financial industry experience and problems I had seen and solved with financial software. Throughout I could tell my personality and ability to work well under pressure and with unclear mandates was being evaluated. I have a lot of experience doing both so this was no problem for me.
I found everyone to be very professional and intelligent. I do believe Addepar will be a successful company and for the right person a great place to work. However I noticed I was the oldest person in the entire building and that Mountain View is largely comprised of people from the millennial generation. At no point did I feel I was being discriminated against for being older but I did question if I could fit in or work the long hours that are typical of a startup. Not because I don't have the energy but simply do not want to do it. Many start ups have perks like onsite food, sport teams, yoga, laundry etc so that your entire life revolves around the work experience. Having worked for startups before I know there can be pressure to do all-nighters 'for the good of the team' For me a job is just a job, not an extension of my social life and after about 8 or 9 hours its just face time not productivity. I work hard, but believe strongly in balancing work with time outside of work. Let me reiterate this is my opinion based on past experience and reading reviews of life at Addepar and talking to some of my industry contacts. Not based on having worked at Addepar so this is just speculation on my part.
For these reasons I was actually relieved that I was not offered the position after reconsidering my career and life priorities when faced with the prospect of joining another start up.