Most new roles take some getting used to, but every now and then there are those unicorn career moves where employees know it’s the right fit from day one. Just ask new hires at Hi Marley, Definitive Healthcare, WHOOP and Mirakl.
“One of the first things that stood out to me during the hiring process was Hi Marley’s cross-functional interview approach,” Meg Veenstra, financial analyst at Hi Marley, said. “It was refreshing to see how collaborative the teams are.”
Heath Marvin, senior director of embedded software engineering, was pleasantly surprised during his interview with WHOOP as well.
“What stood out most during the interview process was how candid and intense everyone was — in a refreshing way,” Marvin said. “Every conversation felt honest about the challenges, the pace and the expectations, but also deeply grounded in the mission of adding healthy years to people’s lives.”
All four employees were eager to share stories about their interview process, how they knew their employer was the right fit, and how the company culture has lived up to their expectations.
Hi Marley creates a conversational platform built for P&C insurance and is powered by SMS.
What stuck out to you the most about your company’s culture during the hiring process and what was it specifically that convinced you to join?
One of the first things that stood out to me during the hiring process was Hi Marley’s cross-functional interview approach. It was refreshing to see how collaborative the teams are and to learn how closely I’d partner with different groups. I also noticed how consistently our core values — Max Courage, Be Humble and Ubuntu — were emphasized. It was clear that the hiring team wanted to find someone not just with the right experience, but who would also embody those values through their personality.
From a financial analyst’s perspective, it was unique to hear how optimistic the team felt about the company’s financial strength and outlook. In a time where many companies are focused on cost-cutting and downsizing, it was refreshing to hear from an organization that is expanding thoughtfully and investing in its people.
“In a time where many companies are focused on cost-cutting and downsizing, it was refreshing to hear from an organization that is expanding thoughtfully and investing in its people.”
Over the year since I’ve joined Hi Marley, the collective, positive energy has only grown. Optimism is even stronger now, paired with a shared confidence that we’re headed in a very positive direction.
How does the company culture encourage peers to connect with each other either virtually, in person or both?
Hi Marley hosts both virtual and in-person events that have helped me connect with people with similar interests to mine, like running or fitness classes.
One of my favorite moments this year was the Pride month happy hour hosted in June. The event was created by and for LGBTQ+ employees to connect, offering a space to build community and celebrate together. I really appreciate that the company actively encourages this kind of engagement and reflects inclusive values that are supported from the top down. It goes beyond tolerance or acceptance to genuine celebration, which makes a meaningful difference and helps everyone feel truly part of the Hi Marley community.
The company also has “Marley and Mee” employee engagement groups. These clubs bring together employees over shared interests like wellness, volunteering and cooking. I’m part of our Page-Turners book club, where a new book is chosen every month and we then meet to discuss and socialize.
There are also many employee-led Slack channels that make it easy to connect with co-workers over shared interests, including pets, parenting, gaming, music, sports, home improvement, true crime, television and more.
What opportunities are available for employees to level up their careers?
At Hi Marley, employees have direct access to leadership. Other companies can feel hierarchical, where employees are very removed from the C-suite. Here, that separation feels minimal. I feel that I can interact with our executives to ask questions, share ideas or get their perspective.
I’m also regularly exposed to opportunities that push me outside of my comfort zone. For example, I participated in a panel discussion for one of our customers, where I shared insights on my career paths and work experience with their interns. Experiences like this help me to consistently develop my mentorship and presentation skills. Outside of work, I am part of a Women’s networking group called Elevate, which focuses on advocacy, meaningful connections and professional growth. I feel encouraged to bring these learnings back to the workplace.
Hi Marley empowers employees to be champions of our own careers and to pursue opportunities that align with our development goals. The company also offers an annual learning and development stipend, investing in individual growth through courses, books, conferences and other learning opportunities.
Definitive Healthcare transforms data, analytics and expertise into healthcare commercial intelligence to help businesses grow.
What stuck out to you the most about your company’s culture during the hiring process and what was it specifically that convinced you to join?
What stood out most to me during the hiring process was the transparency and clear communication at every stage. I always knew where I stood in the process and what the next steps would be, which made the experience feel organized and respectful of my time. During my initial phone screen, I was impressed by Definitive’s “Best Workplace” awards and the genuine pride the recruiter expressed in the company’s culture. Once I started meeting with the team I would be joining, I knew it was the right fit for me. I was excited by the vision of what the team wanted to build and could clearly see how my experience fit into that direction. The team is full of high performers and it’s been incredibly refreshing to be part of a group that truly values collaboration and teamwork. I’ve only been with Definitive for two months, but I’m extremely glad I made the decision to join the team. Looking forward to what’s to come in 2026!
How does the company culture encourage peers to connect with each other either virtually, in person or both?
After working remotely in previous roles, I’ve found it much easier to build relationships and connections here at Definitive. Having meetings with cameras on has been especially helpful for getting to know new people. The marketing team, which I’m a part of, has been incredibly welcoming. Over the holidays, our team even organized a virtual class where we learned how to make our own chocolate desserts, complete with kits that were sent to everyone ahead of the workshop.
“After working remotely in previous roles, I’ve found it much easier to build relationships and connections here at Definitive.”
What opportunities are available for employees to level up their careers?
From my initial phone screen, my recruiter emphasized the importance of continuing education opportunities and career advancement, which really stood out to me. I’ve found Definitive University to be very helpful in getting started. Access to LinkedIn Learning has been great for continuing to fine-tune my skills, especially as the marketing field is changing almost daily.
Mirakl is a provider of e-commerce software solutions.
What stuck out to you the most about your company’s culture during the hiring process and what was it specifically that convinced you to join?
From the very beginning, what stuck out the most was the incredibly welcoming group of people I talked to. Often, interview processes can feel transactional or rigid, but this was different. From my first phone screen to the final meeting with the chief of staff to the CEO, every interaction felt genuine and sparked a sense of connection.
During the hiring process, I met with seven different team members and I walked away from each conversation impressed. It wasn’t just about the technical skills or the roles we were discussing; it was the quality of the dialogue. I left those interviews knowing I could potentially be working with an incredibly talented group of people who truly want to work together to succeed.
That collaborative spirit was the ultimate “selling point” for me. It’s one thing to hear about a supportive culture in a pitch, but it’s another to feel it across multiple conversations. Now that I’m here, I can say for certain that what I experienced during the interview process is exactly how it’s felt since day one. The transparency and warmth I saw as a candidate weren’t just for show — they are the foundation of how this team operates every day.
“The transparency and warmth I saw as a candidate weren’t just for show — they are the foundation of how this team operates every day.”
How does the company culture encourage peers to connect with each other either virtually, in person or both?
Our office has a hybrid policy that strikes a good balance; we have the space to collaborate in person while maintaining the flexibility that modern work requires. This sense of community isn’t limited by geography either. I talk to individuals in our Paris and New York offices as well as remote coworkers every day. There is a real sense of connection maintained through intentional meetings and Slack, even when we’re physically far apart.
Since joining, I’ve seen firsthand how the company prioritizes bringing people together. We’ve held multiple “all hands” meetings to celebrate wins across all teams as well as Q&As whenever an executive is visiting the office. We also gave back to the local community through volunteering opportunities during the holiday season.
On a weekly basis, the people team does a fantastic job scheduling in-office lunches. These aren’t just quick meals; we all sit down together to get to know each other on a personal level. That is the biggest thing that has stood out to me about the culture — the genuine sense of community that makes everyone feel like they belong.
What opportunities are available for employees to level up their careers?
Leadership is always open to conversations and mentorship, providing direct access to senior guidance. We supplement this through lunch-and-learns with executives, where we dive into company strategy and industry trends.
There are plenty of opportunities to raise your hand for projects outside your typical job description. This fluidity allows you to build new skills and explore different areas of the business in real-time. It ties directly back to our “go above and beyond” value — if you’re hungry to take on more, the platform is there for you to actively shape your own career path.
WHOOP is a wearable healthtech company.
What stuck out to you the most about your company’s culture during the hiring process and what was it specifically that convinced you to join?
What stood out most during the interview process was how candid and intense everyone was — in a refreshing way. Every conversation felt honest about the challenges, the pace and the expectations, but also deeply grounded in the mission of adding healthy years to people’s lives. I met people from a wide range of backgrounds and teams and there was a consistent sense of conviction and pride in the work across all of them. The in-office culture was also clear early on; it was obvious that collaboration and energy came from being together, not just scheduled meetings. That combination of transparency, ambition and mission-driven work made it easy to say yes. It felt like a place where people genuinely care about doing meaningful work and holding each other to a high bar.
“That combination of transparency, ambition and mission-driven work made it easy to say yes.”
How does the company culture encourage peers to connect with each other either virtually, in person or both?
Because my team spans firmware, app connectivity and data collection, we work closely with hardware, operations and signal processing on a daily basis, making connection across teams essential. WHOOP’s in-office culture makes this feel natural through regular lunches, informal conversations and an environment where people genuinely want to get to know one another. One of my favorite benefits is the opportunity to grab lunch with anyone at the company, which has led to relationships that directly improved how we work together. Weekly company-wide meetings bring everyone together and reinforce transparency and alignment. ERGs, offsites and social events add additional opportunities to connect beyond day-to-day collaboration. Altogether, it creates a culture where relationships form organically and strengthen the work itself.
What opportunities are available for employees to level up their careers?
Career growth at WHOOP is deeply tied to hands-on, cross-functional work. As a leader in embedded systems, I’ve seen how hackathons create space for bold ideas — one of our coolest and most confidential new projects came directly out of the most recent hackathon. There’s also a strong culture of learning through lunch-and-learns, with open invitations that encourage engineers to learn from teams across hardware, signal processing and software. This exposure helps people understand how decisions ripple across the entire product. The company encourages ownership and initiative, allowing individuals to stretch beyond their formal roles. Growth here feels practical and earned, driven by real impact rather than abstract career frameworks.
