I was contacted by an internal Docusign recruiter for a new role. The process started with the standard screening call, then manager call, then another manager call. All points of contact were diligent and professional. All pretty standard operational processes. I had an in-person interview/meeting with what I thought would be the country manager and the SC Manager.
Next steps - schedule case-study solution presentation. A bit of juggling due to end-of-quarter calendar conflicts and travel, but I understand coordinating multiple schedules is a bit of a calendar Tetris event. Fair enough. We finally nailed down a time and day and I got down to work creating the objects and accounts to deliver the presentation. And then the process fell to pieces. My presentation, was remote via Zoom. About 15 minutes before the scheduled 12 pm EST call, I get a direct call from the Docusign recruiter in Seattle asking, "Are you ready for your presentation today?"
What a disarming question 15 minutes prior to my scheduled call.
"Of course, it's in 15 minutes!" I replied.
To which the response was, "No, it is at 12pm PST, not EST".
I screenshot the invite, showing that in fact it was scheduled for 12pm EST and shared it with the recruiter.
So I get an awkward "Oh, let me call you back".
I get a call back asking for 3pm EST, to which I agree, but prior to ending the call here is what left the first of many rotten tastes in my mouth. (As an aside, funny how all those AE's at Quarter-end, were in the meeting.)
"Are you still interested in this role?"
Well, as a candidate who up until this time was very excited about the opportunity was blindsided. Of course. I'd spent hours prepping a demo, teaching myself the platform etc and this is what I get to ponder over the next couple of hours prior to my presentation.
So I do the presentation a few hours later and admittedly, I was rattled, and did not sell enough vision. Technologically-speaking, I received great reviews by my close was weaker than it should have been.
This was a Wednesday, and I was told I'd hear something back by Friday- at the latest. Friday - nothing, Monday - nothing, Tuesday - nothing. Finally I reach out to my contact out East first thing that morning to explain the situation.
And then a strange thing happened. Right at 12 noon EST that day (9am PST) I get a call seemingly out of the blue that was quick, curt and borderline rude that explained that they've decided to put the role on hold. No feedback, nothing. Just a hard shutdown.
And you'd never guess what? The job was reposted a couple of weeks later.
So my experience ended poorly. As a candidate, I had juggled multiple meeting times options and locations for both myself and my family to facilitate the meetings. In the end the recruiting process turned into amateur hour. As a recruiter, you get to say No many more times than yes, and that's life and that's business, but if you can't be honest with your candidates, then what is your role? I know you're in the driver's seat, but we all know that if I blew off a meeting time, or stumbled with a questionable answer at best, I'd be disqualified.
And what's up with the 11th hour "Do you really want this job?" Sabotage really.
It's too bad, because the Docusign platform and strategy is really quite compelling but the disposable nature of the interview process made me doubt I'd apply again.
Some thoughts:
You expect honesty and transparency from all of your candidates. That's great. So do your candidates of you.
If you can't pick up the phone and say "Candidate, thanks for coming out. You gave A, B, C, we needed to see A, B, C and D." then you're in the wrong role.
"We've put the role on hold" - Complete and utter BS. These roles are budgeted months in advance. Just grow up and say what needs to be said.
Avoiding a call and then when pushed for an answer is beyond juvenile. If only your recruiting process was as smooth as your software.
