The interview process consisted of a phone screen, an in person interview, and a presentation. Unfortunately, there were issues at every stage of the process that left me with a very unprofessional impression of the company.
For the initial phone screen, the recruiter did not attend the scheduled interview and later explained that the system had booked interviews without notifying her. While mistakes happen, this set the tone for the overall experience.
The in-person interview was one of the most uncomfortable interviews I have experienced professionally. During the conversation, the interviewer frequently appeared distracted and at times focused on my appearance rather than engaging in the discussion. She was staring at my stomach. Do you know that I can see you? It was hilarious, it appeared like she was trying to figure out if I was pregnant. Total lack of self awareness. When I shared accomplishments I was proud of from previous roles, I was immediately told that I “wouldn’t be able to do that here,” which came across as dismissive and discouraging. It got weird when she started explaining what she's tried to do and didn't get anywhere.
I was then asked to prepare and deliver a presentation, which required a significant investment of time and effort. In hindsight, it felt unnecessary, as the hiring manager appeared to have already decided not to move forward with my candidacy.
At the conclusion of the interview, I was simply told I could leave and was not escorted out of the building. While this may seem minor, after years of experience conducting interviews myself, I found it surprising and unprofessional, particularly in a large multi-story office.
I was told I would receive a hiring decision within a couple of weeks, but I never heard back. After following up four weeks later, the recruiter stated that an email had supposedly been sent and suggested I check my spam folder. Given the earlier communication issues, this response felt dismissive rather than accountable. The hiring manager did apologize and asked if I wanted feedback. 4 weeks later. No thank you.
Overall, the process lacked professionalism, communication, and respect for the candidate’s time.