I never intended on fully applying to this role, but after I received an email from recruiting that I should, I decided to bite the bullet. To my surprise, I was actually contacted for an interview. I was really caught off guard by the vibe of the meeting, it was not comfortable or conversational in the slightest, which I was already put off by. I was asked mainly difficult questions that were not really about the job responsibilities itself. I somehow managed to make it past that stage and reached the final interview. It was with 3 people, including 1 person I had already been interviewed by. The vibe of this meeting was also weird. It truly felt like an interrogation, not a conversation. In my experience, this always means I am not moving forward, which I feel is a blessing because I don't want to work with people who are not culturally my fit. Advice to hiring teams at LEE: don't think because you ask complex and long questions that you'll find the best candidates, if anything, you'll simply find the best performers.

I had three interviews that each lasted about an hour. I have to say, I thought the questions asked and interviews themselves lacked authenticity. I just didn't get a genuine understanding of the culture and passion at LEE. Basic questions that didn't dig deeper, etc. I also did not find my interviewers at all engaging. Very little ability to just be yourself. It was too formal - and why? Don't you want to get to know the person you may be hiring - sense a little of their personality vs if they check boxes on what is necessary for the role? The entire time I wanted some laughter or some semblance of realness to shine through. It felt forced. I also felt their assignments were long-winded and, again, didn't allow who you are as a candidate to really shine through. I felt that I was trying to find the "right" answer vs the most creative, strategic answer that I can come up with. My word of advice is to let loose a little! Show your candidates a more genuine side. Tell the story of LEE and why we should be compelled, not the other way around. Describe the culture better. Laugh a little. Candidates don't want to work at a stuffy company anymore - we want authentic places!