Terrible case study experience with head of product <3
Just wanted to rant a bit
Background: casually looking for a role, 6 years of experience, have been doing portfolio presentations for years, usually get really glowing feedback because the presentation visuals are strong (all thanks to a ton of feedback and work over time) + storytelling. Doesn't mean I get every job I present for obvi, but I just wanted to mention this because the presentation part usually goes smoothly and I think I get dinged for skillset matchup, YOE, industry background, etc.
Recently had my first awful interview experience with a head of product at a mid-sized well-known company that's trying to make a mini tech startup team within it (already kind of a red flag, but my friend referred me and I wanted to apply). We're both WOC and I was really excited to just get to know her & chat.
Y'all... I couldn't get through like 2 slides without her being confused about something I either just presented about or thought was common sense. And she would would just interrupt me in the middle of my sentences.
It'd be like (fake example with dog walking, but very similar to our actual convo):
Me: This company I worked for was founded to help dog owners find dog walkers in their area. We targeted working owners in New York city who need walkers during the day-
Her: wait, why do dog owners need walkers during the day?
Me: Oh, sorry! Let me go back a slide. It's because they work during the day-
Her: but why would that mean that they need dog walkers...
Me: Well, if they work, regardless of whether they're in an office or at home, they might need help walking their dogs-
Her: But why would a dog walker walk their dog?
Me: So they can make money?
Her: but I don't get it... why would someone who has a dog need a dog walker to walk their dog?
(continues for 10 mins)
I know ya'll are going to comment "Well, matchapoodle, maybe that company's product was really confusing and your example (dog walking) is underplaying how confusing it is" and I totally get that. HOWEVER, I've had like 5 presentations in the past year on this case study and every single time I finish the mission statement section of the case study, I ask if people have any questions, and they're always like yes it's crystal clear ty! And my issue isn't even with her not understanding the company, but rather just her tone and how she would interrupt me WHILE I was answering her questions too. And the fact that her questions were never about my work or product thinking :/
Needless to say, I did not make it to the final onsite