We Offered Free Mock Interviews to Laid-Off Engineers and Got Zero Signups
During February's peak layoff season, we at Meetapro launched an initiative to support those affected by offering free mock interviews. Though we anticipated a positive response, our campaign garnered mixed reactions and surprisingly, zero sign-ups. In this post, we'll discuss our experience, share lessons learned, and reintroduce the campaign with improvements.
The Campaign
Our goal was to provide laid-off engineers with high-quality mock interviews conducted by experienced professionals from top tech companies. We announced the campaign on Blind, a popular forum for tech professionals, and set a deadline for applications. However, the post was eventually removed by Blind for being promotional.
Mixed Responses
Before it was removed, the post generated thousands of views but also attracted criticism. Some users appreciated our effort, while others accused us of being opportunistic, collecting emails for spam, and questioned the fairness of our selection process. We responded by emphasizing our commitment to transparency and our genuine intention to help.
Learning from the Experience
Our campaign revealed how easily good intentions can be misinterpreted, especially when marketing is involved. We've learned the importance of clear communication and empathy when promoting such initiatives.
A Second Attempt
We're resuming the campaign with a new deadline of 05/15/23 and making adjustments based on the feedback we received. If you'd like to participate, sign up at Meetapro and email support@meetapro.com. The original post has been updated below for the new campaign, but we're now emphasizing our commitment to transparency and fairness in the selection process.
The Campaign
If you've been recently laid off and are preparing for interviews, register at MeetAPro and email support@meetapro.com to express your interest in participating. The application deadline is 05/15/23.
On 05/15/23, we'll randomly select 10 applicants, for whom we may request LinkedIn profiles for verification purposes. Selected participants will be announced on our website, with partially masked emails and company names to protect privacy.
These chosen individuals will have the chance to schedule one interview valued at up to $200, with MeetAPro reimbursing the cost after the session. For those not selected, we're offering a 15% discount on your first booking.
Additionally, we're inviting experienced interviewers (US residents must have a Green Card or citizenship) to join MeetAPro and host paid interview sessions. If you'd like to volunteer your time, you're welcome to list your interview sessions for free.
Conclusion
Navigating the complex landscape of promotion and goodwill can be challenging. Our experience has shown the importance of learning from our mistakes and iterating to better serve our community. We invite you to join us in our renewed effort to support laid-off engineers and help them navigate these challenging times.
Feel free to share, repost, and reach out to support@meetapro.com with any questions or suggestions. We appreciate your support and input!