Dr. Fresh Interview Questions & Reviews

Interviewed Nov 2009 in Buena Park, CA (took a day)

This interview was arranged through a recruiter who contacted me through LinkedIn.

It took 2 months form first contact to actual interview, the job description was short and still somewhat 'open.' At the time of the interview the CEO (Puneet Nanda who prefers being called "Dr. Fresh" -- believe it or not) was not at the office. On short notice, the VP Sales was called in to talk to me and we had a constructive conversation, during which he described the position and provided additional detail (budget, branding, sales support, etc.). The occasional awkward pause due to him having to read my resume was not an issue.

Then, an hour late, the CEO showed up (weak excuse, didn't feel like he meant it and/or cared much) and proceeded to describe a very different position -- one for which a marketing title made no sense. He also had not looked at the recruiter's briefing and/or my resume and clearly scrambled to read the resume -- all the while not listening to me, at all. He latched on to two words on the resume and never let go, rambling about a potential consulting contract in the future (his way to work around the recruiter fee, I suppose).

Together with the clearly subdued atmosphere in the office (employees had to scan their fingerprints to sign in and out when they arrived or left), this made for a weird interview experience -- to say the least. I also talked to a former employee and, while the content of that conversation is confidential, I cannot recommend this employer based on the interview process and the way they presented themselves. (They also told the recruiter this is a new position -- while I did find out they had previously hired two people for that position, both of which left within 3 months.)

Needles to say I subsequently called the recruiter, described what happened and let her know I will not pursue this 'opportunity.' Not her fault, obviously.