Sent in resume and had to write an essay to move on to next step. Took an online test. Passed it and then had to write several more essays. Did phone and video interviews for a few hours then came in for a day and a half of interviews, presentations, testing, and other marketing related things. Was never asked any serious interview questions at any time, and one of the execs had printed out a list of basic interview questions to ask me just before our interview. During the process it became evident that HCSS looked good from the outside, but there was serious communication, morale and leadership issues inside. Webbing was also evident and no decisions in this 125 person company are made without the owners permission. Very nice people at all levels and offer great perks for employees. CEO is looking for a certain person that has experience and will be under his thumb. Entire interview process took over 22 hrs!

I learned about the position three ways: from job listings posted by the company and two independent recruiters (in blind ads). I found this awkward, because I had to ensure that both recruiters would not make a claim that they had referred me. That can cause disputes with the hiring company and result in loss of the job. Step 1 of the process was a timed, computer-based test, with about half the questions comprising situational math problems (mostly algebra). Other questions focused on business and financial knowledge, plus vocabulary. Apparently this test is required of all candidates, with different minimum scores required for various positions. Step 2 was unique in my interviewing experience. It wasn't unfair because it could be argued that anyone competing for a marketing director position should be able to do this in 2011, but it was different: I was given a list of eight questions related to the job and issues that I would face if I won it. Two of the questions required an answer and I was told to choose any three of the remaining six. I was given five business days to create (and publish to YouTube) a video of myself answering these questions, with a limit of 15 minutes. Step 3 would have been a phone interview, but the company skipped this step and went directly to face-to-face interviews with members of the HCSS executive team. I interviewed with four key leaders, including COO Steve McGough and founder and President Mike Rydin. A breakdown of internal communication was obvious, as Rydin (to whom this position reports) was not even aware that I had prepared the required video interview. The company is strongly employee-oriented, rare even among employee-owned companies. There are many amenities for employees and the atmosphere is very casual yet professional. Amenities include an onsite gym, gourmet kitchen, and Wifi in an outside, park-like setting. My own research (I called company employees before i met the exec team) indicated that employees see this employee orientation as a very positive benefit of working with HCSS. Even though all my interviews seemed to go well (except for some apparent philosophical differences with Rydin), my rejection came in a form letter with no explanation for the decision to continue their search. Asked for feedback, one executive said "it's our policy not to provide any" to interviewees.