We get it, job interviews can be nerve-wracking. At times, they can feel overwhelming, and there’s also a lot to weigh when it comes to making a big decision like changing careers!
That’s why at Appian, we want to make sure you have everything you need ahead of time to prepare for your interview. We want you to be able to bring your best self to your interview and hope you can show up feeling prepared and confident to showcase your achievements and expertise.
With employees across the world, we’ve standardized our interview process on a global scale. Let’s break down the process, how to prepare, and what you need to know about Appian values.
The interview process
While the steps of your interview may vary depending on your team, here are the main three stages you can expect.
- An intro call with your recruiter.
First, you’ll hear from a recruiter for the initial call and general screening. They want to get to know you and what makes you tick. This is an opportunity for you to talk about your past work experiences, things that motivate you, the types of teams and environments that you have thrived in, and to dig into your proudest accomplishments. It’s also a chance to screen us—ask questions about Appian, the team, and the hiring process.
Your recruiter knows the position and the team well, and they’re an amazing source of information. Appian recruiters are advocates for you, the candidate as well as the team you would potentially be joining.
Recruiter screening calls at Appian are a way for us to determine if the role is the right fit for you and what you’re looking for in your next opportunity. If it makes sense to move forward, you’ll proceed to further interviews in the hiring process and we’ll provide you with feedback throughout.
- Interviews with the hiring manager, team and technical assessment, depending on the role.
At Appian, we’re a results-driven, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of company so we want to hear about the impact and outcomes of your past work. Be prepared to answer questions about projects you’ve worked on that outline your skills.
These interviews will be in-person at one of our office hubs, or virtual via Google Meet depending on the role.
Depending on the team, it’ll be a mix of technical and behavioral interviews. Learn more about the Engineering technical interview here.
- Meet an executive.
The final stage of the interview process is meeting with an executive who’s not in the department you’d be joining. This interview is an opportunity to meet with an executive within the organization, who has helped to shape Appian into the company it is today. Appian values are at the core of everything we do and will be in focus for this behavioral interview. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and ensure that Appian is also a fit for you.
As much as we’re interviewing you, it’s a two-way street and you’re also interviewing us. We want to make sure you’re set up for success and get the chance to voice any concerns and questions.
How to Prepare
Before your interview, we recommend reviewing your resume and for each past experience ask yourself these questions.
- What was I proud of from this particular experience?
- What was the impact I made and the final outcome?
- How did I work collaboratively with others?
- What would I do differently? What did I learn from that experience?
We’re looking for curious, ambitious people to join Appian. Do your research beforehand on who we are, our business goals, and our culture. Come to the interview prepared with questions to ask at the end that show your curiosity and that you’ve done your research.
The Appian values that define our culture
The four values we live and work by at Appian are:
- Work to impact (not just completion)
- Ambition
- Respect
- Constructive Dissent (with resolution)
When you’re reviewing your past experience, think about how each relates back to our values and how you’ve demonstrated these values are important to you.
To learn about what the values look like in action through our employees, here are a few stories to start:
- 4 Ways Appian Values Working to Impact, Not Just Completion
- Meet Belita Ferreira, Sales Director in EMEA who won our Pillar Award for living our values
- Celebrating One Year of Engineering Growth in Chennai, India that highlights our ambitious people and goals
We’re here to support you, and through your time as a candidate, and then (hopefully!) as a member of our team.
Don’t just take our word for it! To hear more about working at Appian, read stories from employees themselves on our AppianLife blog.
Meghan Carpenter, Director of Talent Acquisition
Ed Cordell, Director of Talent Acquisition