tldr: Beware the paid trial - tax forms arrived waaaay too late. Seems like a company trying not to be evil but making things unnecessarily difficult along the way. There was a little SQL exercise to complete which wasn't very difficult. Then there was a Slack-only interview which was different but kind of nice, really. The emoji situation is out of hand. Then there was a paid trial period that I really think is too much. Between the SQL test and all the other interview options available, why make candidates jump through this hoop? The argument I heard for why they do it that way was to see how people work fully remote, but in light of 2020-21 aren't we past that? Especially for a role that is already steeped in technology. I will say, I definitely felt like more of a bother than I have in the fully remote position I was hired into after this experience (at a different company, obvs). The data was old and most of the answers I got along the lines of what they wanted was 'whatever you want!' which just isn't helpful. The absolute worst part about it is that it is paid, and they don't withhold taxes from what they pay you. Guess when I received the 1099-NEC I needed from them? April 14th, 2022. THREE business days before taxes for 2021 were due. I had to file an amendment on 4/18 (which is right now). Now, it's completely possible I missed some sort of check box that would have withheld the appropriate amount of taxes, but that does not remedy Automattic's egregiously late sending of the 1099. It would be awesome if they altered their interview process so that it doesn't hold the potential for IRS fines. It really doesn't need to be this difficult. Streamline your process and save everyone time and money. All that being said, everyone was really nice and it seems like a company that is genuinely trying to do right by its people. I wouldn't consider interviewing with them again if they're still doing the whole paid trial thing though. Find a better way to assess candidates. It doesn't need to be this difficult.

tldr: Beware the paid trial - tax forms arrived waaaay too late. Seems like a company trying not to be evil but making things unnecessarily difficult along the way. There was a little SQL exercise to complete which wasn't very difficult. Then there was a Slack-only interview which was different but kind of nice, really. The emoji situation is out of hand. Then there was a paid trial period that I really think is too much. Between the SQL test and all the other interview options available, why make candidates jump through this hoop? The argument I heard for why they do it that way was to see how people work fully remote, but in light of 2020-21 aren't we past that? Especially for a role that is already steeped in technology. I will say, I definitely felt like more of a bother than I have in the fully remote position I was hired into after this experience (at a different company, obvs). The data was old and most of the answers I got along the lines of what they wanted was 'whatever you want!' which just isn't helpful. The absolute worst part about it is that it is paid, and they don't withhold taxes from what they pay you. Guess when I received the 1099-NEC I needed from them? April 14th, 2022. THREE business days before taxes for 2021 were due. I had to file an amendment on 4/18 (which is right now). Now, it's completely possible I missed some sort of check box that would have withheld the appropriate amount of taxes, but that does not remedy Automattic's egregiously late sending of the 1099. It would be awesome if they altered their interview process so that it doesn't hold the potential for IRS fines. It really doesn't need to be this difficult. Streamline your process and save everyone time and money. All that being said, everyone was really nice and it seems like a company that is genuinely trying to do right by its people. I wouldn't consider interviewing with them again if they're still doing the whole paid trial thing though. Find a better way to assess candidates. It doesn't need to be this difficult.