What it tests

Genuine alignment with company mission — not checkbox, but real conviction

Format

1A dedicated 45-60 minute interview focused entirely on values/mission
2Questions cover: why the mission matters to them, long-term vs short-term trade-offs, contrarian industry views, values conflicts with customers

What to look for

Depth of conviction (surface-level enthusiasm vs. genuine understanding)
Nuanced thinking (can they see both sides of a complex issue?)
Specific examples from their past (not hypotheticals)
Authenticity (trained interviewers can detect "telling you what you want to hear")

Full description

Format: A dedicated 45-60 minute interview focused entirely on values/mission:

"Why do you care about [company mission]? Be specific."
"Describe a time you made a decision that was right for the long term but costly in the short term."
"What's something most people in our industry get wrong?"
"How would you handle a situation where a customer asks for something that conflicts with our values?"

Time: 45-60 minutes

What to look for:

Depth of conviction (surface-level enthusiasm vs. genuine understanding)
Nuanced thinking (can they see both sides of a complex issue?)
Specific examples from their past (not hypotheticals)
Authenticity (trained interviewers can detect "telling you what you want to hear")

Why Anthropic cuts here: Most candidates who fail at Anthropic fail the values round. They have the skills but not the alignment. This is where the company protects its culture.