Brightcore Energy reached out to me about the Strategic Operations Analyst role in the geothermal division, which I appreciated because the opportunity genuinely aligned with my background. I didn’t see the email immediately because I was recruiting under a different account for my current employer, but once I responded (October 30th), the recruiter got back to me quickly, confirmed the role was still open, and sent a scheduling link.
Shortly after scheduling the interview, I received an automated rejection email stating the position had been filled. The recruiter called right away to clarify that it had been sent by mistake and confirmed that the initial role was taken. I was now being offered an interview for the Project Coordinator (Procore Construction) role and was sent a scheduling link, which moved directly into the first phone interview. She was polite and responsive, and I appreciated her transparency during that mix-up.
The interviews themselves, however, felt more informal and disconnected than I expected for a strategic operations role. In the first interview, many of the questions I asked about the job, responsibilities, or culture were deferred to the next step. In the second interview (with the would-be manager), many of the same questions were repeated, and the conversation was often interrupted by connectivity issues. There were long pauses where I wasn’t sure if the interviewer was waiting, frozen, or expecting me to continue talking, which made the cadence difficult to navigate. I was traveling that day (as I had let them know in advance), but I was parked, prepared, and fully focused; even so, I felt I had to carry the conversation to keep it moving.
Despite being a strong fit on paper, none of the typical topics like compensation, benefits, expectations, performance metrics, or internal structure came up organically in either interview, which added to a sense of uncertainty around the process.
Afterward, all communication came through automated no-reply emails. When the final rejection came through, there was no way to ask for feedback or clarification. I understand that many companies use automated systems, but the combination of automated messages, repeated questions, and technical interruptions made the experience feel more impersonal than I expected, especially for a company that publicly emphasizes collaboration and a strong internal culture.
Overall takeaway:
Everyone I spoke with was friendly and responsive, and I appreciated being considered for the role. Although this would have been a linear move for me in terms of compensation and job description, I genuinely liked their mission around cleaner, more efficient energy, their reputation for a positive company culture, and the work/life balance that comes with a hybrid role. That said, the process itself felt unusually disconnected and left little room for meaningful dialogue or understanding of mutual fit. I’m still open to future opportunities with Brightcore Energy, but I hope the interview experience continues to evolve in a way that better reflects the thoughtfulness of the company’s mission.
