In 2014 I interview with Box with one group, passed the recruiter, local SE manager and flew up to Box HQ. Position was withdrawn. The first interview was never discovered by the next team. Two years later – I interviewed once again – with another group. Started with pre-screening phone interview from the internal Box recruiters. Followed up by a phone interview by the direct hiring manager, then the VP of SE.
I was invited to come into the local office to be interviewed through a series of 1:1 interviews by the Account Reps, their managers and the SE Managers. Total time took to about 3 hours, since a few of the AE’s could not make the 1:1 interviews.
Their main concern: could I fit into the Box Culture was stressed, and the question as to “Why Box” was asked of me – a few times. Box culture, slightly dysfunctional within this group (see below), the standard “we work hard play hard” was the cultural answer reply. That tells me a lot! And the other question, "Why Box", with the fact that attrition is high on the Box employment scale, and the lack of resources in the field, you should be convincing me “Why Box”. They had forgotten that I too, am interviewing your culture, people, behaviors, synergy and personalities – why box is important – both ways. This was a typical one-way meeting – they asked questions about why me for box, what about me would fit in box, why do I want box.
My takeaway, there are three groups with different agendas and requirements, VP, Mgmt and the AE’s, all groups are looking for someone different. All three groups described the role and responsibilities to me differently and have their own expectations and needs.