Cheat Sheet, a regular series, guides you through the hiring process, in detail, for some of the most competitive jobs out there. This week, health juggernaut Weight Watchers needs people familiar with its program to help improve its mobile app.
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First Round:
30-minute phone interview with a recruiter to determine familiarity with working on mobile platforms. A background at commercial weight-loss companies isn’t essential, but the candidate should be compelled to help people lose weight.
Second Round:
Hourlong, in-person interview with the hiring manager if you’re located in New York or California (otherwise it’s on the phone). “If you have ideas for improving the app, don’t hold them back, because it shows initiative.”
Third Round:
Daylong interview at one of the coastal headquarters. Candidates are given an ambiguous sample question from an app user, such as, “How do I navigate my grocery store?” and asked to create an hourlong presentation, using slides or the whiteboard, that says how the app would address that issue. “We want you to bring the app to life.”
The Score:
The hiring manager and the mobile team discuss whether they clicked with the candidate and judge his or her problem-solving ability in the presentation. The hiring manager makes the final call. “I’m more impressed with the portfolio and skill than higher education.”
Do talk up your collaboration skills. “You’ll need data to inform your design plans, and that involves working with, and learning from, a lot of different people in the company.”
Do be tuned into health and lifestyle trends. “Our main competition is the DIY space—people reading a diet book or buying meal replacements—and we have to look broadly at what each company in the space is doing.”
Do join Weight Watchers. “It’s not mandatory, but it’s an asset if this person knows the program so they know what would make the app more useful from personal experience.”
Don’t be overly shy. “A personal story can make a difference to our members, and it will certainly make you a better designer.”
Don’t keep weird suggestions to yourself. “Different people rely on this app in different times in their lives, so if you have a unique idea, there is most likely a place for it.”
Don’t treat this app like the other fitness apps. “We’ve been doing this for 50 years. While we’re looking to stay contemporary, our members have specific needs from us.”
