I selected "No opinion" because of all the reviews from people who are sore because they didn't get the job. This review is an effort to remove that disappointment and objectively deal with their hiring process as it comes across to the applicant. I hope it might be helpful to Zapier to get feedback from applicants, as I really think they are trying to find a better way to hire (and that's great).
There was excellent communication throughout and it was a very speedy process, but it left me feeling like a computer algorithm was making decisions instead of humans.
First, you fill out a form with some essay questions and are asked to submit a project that is VERY simple if you have used Zapier and Google Forms before.
I put a lot of work into that form. After submitting it, Zapier was very quick to schedule an interview with me (less than a week). The interviewer was a nice lady who was very warm and put me at ease. But it turned out to be a quick 30 min. one-on-one screening call that asked a few specific questions and a few basic technical questions. It was rather rushed, with the vast majority of it being answers to her questions. At the end, I had a chance to ask a couple of quick questions while being reminded that the interviewer had to go to a meeting right away. I got off the video call hoping against hope that I'd get a second interview, since I had not been able to really share what experience I have and what I could add to the team. In retrospect, I should have taken every open-ended question as an opportunity to go through my experience and skills (even if it was not related to the question). I was just trying to be polite and let her drive the interview. Hindsight is 20/20.
After the interview, they sent a stock email within a few days to let me know I was out of the running. They explicitly state they will not discuss their decision with you and basically tell you to not contact them anymore about it. You can wait and reapply in 6-12 months if you want and can explain what has changed since then to make them want to hire you.
In the beginning, I was very excited about this unorthodox hiring process. However, after being through it I realized that there is no way they could hope to understand who I am or what I am capable of adding to their team, given the limited interaction we had. I understand that they get a lot of applications and have to streamline the process, but unless the interviewer asks the right questions to really get to know you (and your experience), and unless you take every open-ended question as an opportunity to show them what you can do, you're a "gonner."
I felt like I hit the application out of the park and the interview seemed to go well. The interviewer even stated that I had more experience than most people she talks with. So I don't think I was an obvious "no-go". Honestly, I got the distinct impression that the interview was being conducted solely in order to reach a quota needed to hire someone that had already been chosen.
In summary, I think Zapier's hiring process--while admirably trying to remove human prejudice--actually removes the humanity from it. If you want to ensure a diverse hiring experience, then carefully choose your recruiters. But some things you simply can't automate, and getting to know another human is one of them. We are all so different! And I find it interesting that so much stock is put in a quick verbal/video interview when they state that virtually all communication at work is written. Some people can write fabulously well, but choke up when speaking or on camera. So I'd suggest letting us use the medium that we'll use at work rather than eliminating people based on their lack of irrelevant skills. That's why I really like the idea of doing a trial before being hired.
I hope they get the kinks worked out of their process, as it looks like a great company to work for. But don't get your hopes up as I did. You'll likely get eliminated with an automated response and no explanation and no recourse with a human, which is rather frustrating.
I hope this is helpful to the good folks at Zapier. I probably won't be in the market for a job in 6-12 months, but if I am, I'd still be open to working there.