I'm fairly well into my career, 22 years of experience at some of the best companies in the world. I have since started working on my own projects and am hired by companies to do implementations of systems or process. My name somehow came across the CEO's desk and decided that he wanted me to come work for him.
I had never heard of AppNexus before and typically I work with large enterprise companies so it was different than what I was used to but figured I would go in and talk with them. I believe the interview process is for both parties, not just for the hiring manager but also for the person interviewing to see if this a place he/she would want to work. It has to work for both sides.
I had a hard time grasping what the position was and what projects they specifically needed my help with. I met with three people during my interview process. All kept saying "O'Kelley wants you bad, you should come work here." or "You get free snacks."
I think in my twenties I would have been super appreciative of free snacks and cartoon themed conference rooms. In my forties, not sure its the right place for me.
It was a very strange experience. I was flattered that they thought so highly of my experience, but I was unsure on what the role was or why they wanted to hire me. For me to take this offer I would have had to close up my consulting practice which I have spent the past four years building so it would have to be a good long term fit for me to do so.