When a recruiter first reached out to me, I wasn't looking for a job, but I was intrigued so I began the interview process. Right until the end, Hudl did a phenomenal job at keeping me in the loop of next steps. I can only hope that future experiences applying for jobs are similar. First was a 1:1 with a recruiter. It was pretty standard. I did feel like it was hard to get a word in at times, but I hadn't prepared as well as I should have for the call, so that worked in my favor. Immediately another interview was set up with the team that I would potentially be on. One interviewer was my potential boss, the other was what I'd call the brand gatekeeper. I was feeling confident and must have done well becuase a few days later I got a call to work on a project. I was asked to come up with an idea to promote a service of Hudl. I didn't like that they wanted an idea and a sample blog post, so I found a way around that. And they still liked it! I was even getting excited to put the idea in motion if I got hired. Next, I was emailed to set up another interview with more members of the team I'd potentially be on. That's where things went south. It was probably a combination of high stress at my current job, getting over the flu and just a lack of "spark" but I don't think my second interview went well. The team that I'd be on is mostly white, all male and very much gave off a "bro" vibe. I've worked in offices like that before and it hasn't ended well for me. There were questions about if I really wanted to work in a sports startup and if I'd be fulfilled in the work since it wouldn't be like what I'm used to writing (which is true). I think these questions came from a good place, but didn't come out right. One of the team members named topics that I've written about and sounded offended, which turned me off a bit. There was also another point where I asked about metrics and that question seemed to ruffle some feathers. I'm coming from a goals/metric focused industry (advertising) so I wanted to know what expectations would be for the content I'm creating. I never really got an answer, just a broody "metrics are BS" comment. Fair enough. Looking back there was nothing wrong with Hudl, as other reviewers have said, if you've got the chops, apply! It looks like an awesome place to work. But to another reviewers point, I got the feeling that maybe this place isn't a good fit for people of color or those with marginalized identities. I was on a big screen TV in my third interview and could see myself in the reflection of the glass office they were interviewing me from. I counted about 20 people who walked by. All were white. Most were men. I understand that may be an unfair sample size, but for me it was telling. So were the looks on some employees faces when they glanced at me on the screen. In the end, a week and a half went by before I realized I hadn't heard anything. About a week after that I got a response. I didn't get the job. Their interview process was lengthy for a job that only required 2-3 years experience, but I think to continue the culture that they seem to have it's probably necessary. It was a good experience, if nothing else I got to brush up on my interview etiquette.

I initially interviewed with Hudl over the phone. The phone interview went well. The questions were fairly standard and it was overall a pleasant phone conversation with Hudl's recruiter. He pushed me along their process and sent me to complete their take home project. Here were the questions from my take home project: 1.Develop three audience personas for either basketball OR soccer using the information provided in this project and on Hudl. 2. Identify the types of content that cater to each persona throughout the buying process. Please include specific titles for each piece of content. 3. Identify a content pathway for each of the personas developed. 4. Write out one of your content ideas as if you were submitting it for Hudl use. For example, if you come up with a blog idea to cater to a persona in the Evaluation stage, please include a fully written blog. 5. Briefly discuss how you would track the success of your deliverables. Thankfully, the Hudl recruiter explained they know this is a big project and was allowing 7-10 days to complete. I submitted my three page project to them on the seventh day. I was feeling confident about Hudl due to many people feeding me positive information about the company. I wouldn't recommend for anybody apply with Hudl as I feel completely duped. Further, I feel they potentially may steal interviewees ideas. After I submitted my three page project to Hudl that was the end of all communication. I followed up with the Hudl recruiter to find out what was going on with the hiring process. Nothing. Hudl didn't even have the courtesy to tell me thank you, but you are not the correct fit. I don't have a problem with proving your skills through a project. In fact, I feel using small projects is sometimes necessary to fully grasp what a new hire can accomplish. However, Hudl should take a page from Khanacadamy's hiring process. They ask the applicant to submit no more than one page for their project.