What can you expect from an interview ...
What can you expect from an interview from an Indian majority company seeking to hire an American? Is there any nuances, or cultural things I should be aware of? I'm being recruited for a role from a Indian-owned tech company, as they're seeking to grow their west-coast basis.
14 Replies
other-emerald•9mo ago
meme answer - racism from the interviewers
real answer - cutthroat competitive interview vibes. expect to get very specific and pointed questions for a step or two above the role they're actually hiring for. they're going to be looking for unicorn hires, and cheap
sunny-green•9mo ago
Thank you! I noticed the interviewer I met with speaking very fast. Found out my next meeting is with another manager from India. Their salary offer seem to be okay.
other-emerald•9mo ago
Yeah "fast speaking" is a pretty common cultural trait with them, in my experience
equal-aqua•9mo ago
Man sounds like such an unpleasant experience; I get the logic that you could just churn and burn if it doesn't work out, but is it worth?
other-emerald•9mo ago
That's a question for another thread, my friend. I wouldn't presume it is very conducive to an OE lifestyle - there is a very strong culture of micromanagement in these sorts of orgs.
conscious-sapphire•9mo ago
you won't have a good time especially if they're like native indian speakers
they will try to get the most margin out of you
and, in some cases
they'll accept you , knowing you may be more expensive, but your skillsets are stellar
get into the client's "yes" pool"
then drop you for a much cheaper candidate
i think that's happened to one guy from this discord
sunny-green•9mo ago
a handful of my former coworkers work for them so far they all love it. My former coworkers also told me their salaries, it seems like they pay about $125000-$155,000 for project managers. Very flexible schedule, the downside is you do have to attenda 6PM and a 9AM meeting every day. But they don't care about anything inbetween besides the 2 30 minute meeting slots. They also told me most meetings are over within 5 minutes and camera on isnt required.
I used to work for a large tech company that laid off 900 staff members with no notice (Violating WARN act). So we got scattered. Some of my awesome PM teammates ended up at this company in India trying to expand in the US and been there for almost a year and they all love it so far.
They seemed really insistent I move to Seattle. But, my former coworkers told me to stand strong and keep demanding remote. One of them told me the fact they even interviewed me means they want me. Apparently a little over 20,000 applicaitons for the job happened so far. I got in because I know people there.
other-emerald•9mo ago
wow, those are some great counterpoints. that is not in line with the experience I have heard from my colleagues in the past, but I guess that goes to show you that YMMV
sunny-green•9mo ago
They seem very deseperate to grow in the US, so that could be why they're treating US a lot better right now? The company is in a very superficial and conservative market and tbf I probably have a better chance because I am white, and fit into the "standard" for this industry. They're a major beauty brand, and they need technical staffing.
Very true Geese, But I don't know how they truly are until I Get to work for them. Hopefully it turns out to gbe good.
other-emerald•9mo ago
I hope so as well!
sunny-green•9mo ago
I'm gay and my current J1 is really conservative and anti-gay and it bothers me a lot. One of my former coworkers is trans, and she loves this company and they treat her really well. She thinks I'll like their US culture. The biggest downfall seems to be having to do meetings with US clients in the morning then doing evening meetings with the colleagues in India. This kind of sounds tiring tbh.
other-emerald•9mo ago
Yeah the biggest red flag about Indian company/management that I understand is the micromanagement. But, if you get in with a company that isn't like that, it seems like an overall win
sunny-green•9mo ago
I'll ask my colleagues about that! To see if theyfeel micromanaged. I'm being interviewed for a senior level Enterprise Director of Project Management.
other-emerald•9mo ago
ah, well, that might make a really big difference. seems to me at that level, micromanagement would be even more counterproductive than usual