Quick Process. The interview process consisted of four rounds: a prescreen, an interview with the lead TAM, a client intro call presentation, and a final interview with the direct hiring manager. All of my interviewers and recruiters were generally pleasant until the final interview with the manager I would be working with. For starters, she was a few minutes late, and I got the impression she didn’t want to be there. She was dry and unengaged. By this point, I had been through three rounds and had mentioned that I was laid off, which she acknowledged. I was surprised when she asked why I was looking for a job now – we had just confirmed I had been laid off, so why ask that? She only asked three questions, two of which were essentially the same: "Why Rippling? Why now?", "Why do you want to work here?", and "Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer." After re-explaining why I wanted to work there and sharing my background in TA and ATS, it felt like she was trying to disqualify me. She remarked, "Well, you won't be working in TA; this is the benefits side." I understood that, but the point was that I am familiar with this space. After 10 minutes and her three questions, she ended the interview. I received a rejection the next day. The recruiter did share feedback, stating that the manager wanted to see more technical experience. I was baffled because she didn't ask a single technical question. When I pointed this out to the recruiter, she changed her response to the manager wanting someone more customer-centric.

I had an initial screen with a recruiter. I did not make it past that round, but I was not left waiting and the communication was good. I would apply again.