For a company who’s whole “thing” is to prioritize employee welfare and workplace culture, I could not be more caught off guard at how disposable I was made to feel. Long story short, after TWO MONTHS!!!, three rounds of interviews, one separate project pitch presentation, and countless hours of work and prep, I received a generic “this position has been filled” email. The recruiter mentioned another position and asked if it was something I was interested in. I of course responded yes, and also asked for feedback, only to be completely ghosted!! This was the most degrading, exploitive interview process I’ve ever had.
After a good first interview, the recruiter asked me if I was interviewing anywhere else. After replying no, she responded that it was “music to her ears” because she hates when they go through with an ideal candidate only to be beaten out by another company. I took that as a great sign that they liked me and only got more excited to move forward.
The next two interviews took a while to setup, and I was never told how many steps there would be or if there were any other candidates in the running. The conversations were great though, and after meeting with each person I only became more confident. All signs pointed to it being a great fit and was never told anything otherwise.
A few hours after the third interview I received an email from the recruiter saying that the team wanted me to create and pitch an entire presentation, due in five days. I was completely caught off guard since in the interview that morning we had discussed how I was leaving for vacation later in the afternoon. Nevertheless, I spent many hours of my vacation working on the presentation in my hotel room because I thought it could only be a good sign that they wanted an example of my work, especially after three separate interviews. It felt like a final quality check more than anything. Of course I understood the possibility of not getting the job but after three rounds and then being asked to do a presentation, who wouldn’t think they were a top, if not THE contender?
A week after my pitch presentation I received the very short rejection email. No phone call, no explanation, no personalization. I was devastated. The recruiter mentioned another open position so I replied to the email confirming my interest and asked for feedback. I never heard from Box again.
The entire process took hours and hours of work and preparation. It was by FAR more work than the average job interview. They sprung the presentation on me extremely last minute while I was literally in the car starting my vacation, had me present them with all these new ideas, only to completely ghost me. In a way it feels like I was used just for ideas. For all I know they could be implementing something I presented and I will never get credit or compensation.
To say that I feel taken advantage of would be a massive understatement. There was zero transparency about the process so I was completely strung along and made to believe that things were going great. At the very least, I thought for sure they’d explain and thank me, maybe even give some feedback, especially after spending literally two months working with them. I cannot believe that a company who claims to be a leader in employee diversity and inclusion would treat people like this (and for a role on the people team no less!!!)
I was totally blindsided, and I feel utterly defeated. Any why dangle a different position in my face only to never respond? For some this may just be a job, but for many this opportunity is life changing. Especially since unemployment runs out soon, I’m scrambling to make ends meet, and the job market is insane. I feel like I was taken to cloud 9 only to be pushed off and left for dead without explanation. It’s completely unacceptable and unprofessional ESPECIALLY in this climate during a global pandemic. These are people’s lives. Returning to the job hunt after this experience is beyond dehumanizing.
Value people’s time and don’t treat them like disposable robots. Do better.
