I had a generally mixed experience interviewing with Compass. The initial 30-minute call with the recruiter was positive and straightforward. The recruiter was professional and set clear expectations, which made me feel optimistic about the next steps.
However, the interview with two managers during a 1-hour video call was a different experience. I was transparent about my background, explaining that while most of my experience has been in end-to-end project support, where I've played a key role in cross-functional collaboration and attention to detail, I was excited to transition into more client-facing responsibilities. I emphasized my adaptability, noting that while I thrive in detailed, process-driven work, I'm equally ready to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to engaging with clients and driving initiatives forward.
Despite positioning myself as someone with a unique skill set that combines both tactical execution and strategic thinking, I felt that the managers were seeking a very specific type of candidate, and my broader, more flexible approach didn't seem to align with their expectations. The questions they asked felt strangely phrased which made the conversation uncomfortable and hard to navigate. It quickly became clear that my experience and approach didn't align with what they had in mind for the role.
Additionally, I didn’t feel much of a connection with the managers. If these two were going to be my reporting managers, I didn’t believe it would be a good fit in terms of leadership style or communication.
I sent a follow-up thank-you letter after the interview to express my appreciation for the opportunity and reaffirm my interest in the company. Two days later, I received a rejection email from the recruiter, which didn’t come as a surprise given the way the interview had unfolded.
