soona interview questions

First, a phone interview with a person from their TA team. 2nd interview with one of the co-founders. Then, a Zoom interview for about 30 minutes with two managers on their sales team.

My interview experience for soona’s Director of People began with the promise of a straightforward three-step process expected to last up to a month. Instead, it turned into a confusing, protracted six-step ordeal well spanning 3 months, involving hours of conversations with six team members. Despite soona’s stated commitment to DEI, their handling of the interview process - with frequent, unexplained changes - raised doubts about their dedication to these values. Throughout the process I learned of consistent layoffs in 2022, 2023, and 2024, which occurred despite multiple rounds of VC funding. The teammates I spoke to that survived the layoffs, or joined more recently, shared a collective uncertainty and unease about their future. Additionally, it became apparent that the CEO struggled with understanding the financials and executive acumen, which clearly contributes to the chaotic nature of the hiring process and the company's overall unstable environment. The final twist came when, after what I was led to believe would be the last interview, the CEO scheduled an additional in-person meeting, only to cancel it 12 hours before, citing an emergency board meeting. Then, during the time slot of our scheduled meeting, I received an email from the CEO informing me that they were moving forward without me, with no further explanation offered. Despite repeated requests, I received no feedback, which not only felt unprofessional but also disrespectful. I am not disappointed by not receiving an offer, as my priority is to work in environments where respect and transparency are demonstrated and valued. I am disheartened by the lack of basic communication and the unprofessional behavior and lack of integrity displayed by senior leadership, specifically the CEO. This experience has revealed a significant disconnect between the positive, productive conversations with team members and the glaring absence of professional acumen and executive presence among senior leaders. I hope this feedback assists soona in improving how they engage with potential and current employees, ensuring that their practices align with their publicly professed values.