The recruiting experience was excellent. The recruiter was organized, communicative, and transparent throughout the process, with every stage clearly documented and no surprises. The hiring manager interview was particularly strong. He was thoughtful, honest, and clear about the team's needs, and demonstrated a high level of design maturity. The portfolio review was professional and friendly, although the designers (including a lead) came across as less experienced in conducting interviews and discussing design at a strategic level, based on the quality and depth of their questions. Overall, the design team gave the impression that it places a strong emphasis on visual craft and design taste, sometimes at the expense of broader product thinking, strategy, and balancing user and business needs. That said, the product itself has clear user value and significant business potential, particularly in the age of AI. The team's focus on elevating product's visual craft and polish seems aligned with where the product can grow next.

It was fast and smooth. I appreciated especially how Ash, the recruiter I was in contact with, kept a constant communication with me, sharing updates and feedback but also wishing me luck before each interview and wanting to know what were my thoughts at each stage of the process.