Note: This role was advertised as HR Officer however the role itself was payroll focused, every information received from Airways Optical about the role was false. I applied online, the job description was very short. They mentioned seeking someone with administrative experience, nothing about HR experience. The hiring manager called to ‘invite’ me to interview, it didn’t feel like they wanted to invite me to interview because they really wanted me but more like to add to the number. I travelled to Southampton only to realise I wasted my time and money. They clearly were fishing for lots of applicants by having a broad and vague job description, there was no person specification either until the interview invite (this also turned out to be false information). It was evident the hiring manager and colleague didn’t read the cv or cover letter upon application yet proceeded to invite me to the interview (they also only mentioned it there that it was a first interview). During the interview, I could see the hiring manager only just beginning to read my cv, her brows furrowed with an unimpressed look plastered on her face which she was unable to mask, this look does not help a candidate who’s anxious being interviewed. I also should note that the interviewers did not have a single question prepared, the hiring manager took the lead and her colleague followed suit when prompted. Sadly, the interview lasted less than 15 minutes. At which point a thought occurred to me, why have an in-person interview when a telephone interview could have done the job and saved the candidate’s time and money? Another pointer is, you can always gauge whether they truly want to interview you by the way they contact you, a hiring manager stating ‘are you wanting an interview?’ or bringing up how far your distance to the job is, that is one person you should flee, the interview will unfortunately be a loss for you. Something to think about Almost 2 weeks after the first interview, it’s radio silence from their end. That’s my story, folks.