About one month after applying for this role, I received a called from HR, which went well. We scheduled a second call with the line manager for the following Monday because they had an "urgent need" to fill the role.
Ther person that I was supposed to speak with was unavailable for the interview and another person joined the call at the last minute. I don't know if there was a misunderstanding regarding the requirements for this particular role, but I kept getting asked technical questions, whether I understood what they do there and whether I've ever worked in that type of environment.
I don't know if it was engineering bias or what, but I was not applying for an engineering role and the requirements reflect that:
Applicant should possess the following experiences & qualification;
• Previous Project Management and Program Management experience
• Demonstrated success in leading global teams in a matrix type reporting structure
• Detailed understanding of Process Assessment & Optimization activities and efforts
• Experience in Root Cause Analysis, Corrective Action and Preventative Action implementation
• Proven success in working in high pressure, multi-culture environments driving improvement and change
• Clear, concise communication skills and excellent organizational skills.
I have an MSc, which is a science degree, and have served as a consultant in this space for the past seven years. An engineering degree is not required to perform process design and improvement and project management projects although we do share many of the same courses at university.
After speaking for a short while, the line manager said that he was not sure why my resume was given to him if I have never worked in that environment. I responded that consulting is full of people who transition from manufacturing jobs and are considered SME. In this instance, there is no reason why someone who has performed myriad process improvements, system integrations and change management engagements on the consulting side, across many industries, could not learn this company's way of working and perform this role.
I could tell that his mind was made up and he was extending me a courtesy at this point.
Ultimately, I made my peace and concluded that the job description should have been geared more towards someone with an engineering experience because that is clearly what they were looking for.