Worst interview I've ever experienced.
I'll try to keep this brief.
I live on the east coast. Hawaiian Airlines invited me to their interview in Honolulu for a chance to complete a series of interviews over about a 3 week process. The training would have begun in January, with 7 weeks unpaid training in Honolulu, with no accommodations or travel provided throughout any of the process.
Given that this has been a dream of mine for years, I altered my life in many ways in order to take this chance. It wasn't an easy sacrifice, but I felt confident. I learned about the company, every detail I could. I purchased a new suit, practiced my interview preparation relentlessly, and purchased airfare and a 10 day hotel in HI, with absolute confidence I would make it to the 2nd interview at the least.
I have a small, light and discrete tattoo on one foot that I have began removal on. I had it covered with professional makeup, which has never affected any of my previous positions professionally.
On the day of the first interview, they bring you into a room first, you remove your shoes and begin with a "reach test", which I completed. She began to ask a few general questions. 2 or 3 questions in she asked if I had any visible tattoos. I told her no. She asked if I had any concealed with bandages or makeup and I told her that i did, indeed, have one but that it would be fully removed by training in January. She was in disbelief that I had one, as even the makeup wasn't noticeable to her that was covering it, let alone signs of a tattoo. She then apologized, asked me to leave and escorted me out of the building. I was in such shock that I didn't know quite how to respond to what had happened, even absorb it to be honest.
I am more than qualified for this position in many ways. I had a lot to offer this company, and given that I had traveled so far to show them what I had to offer, and wasn't accepted to even complete an interview because of something insignificant that wouldn't have been an issue at all. I was choking back tears as I left without the respect of a conversation or anything.
I just cannot believe what this company expects you to bend over backwards to do for such a slim chance at being hired, and will not overlook something that would not be an issue once hired. I have since written the CEO and HR, only to be dismissed. Over $3,000 later, and being forced to turn down other international positions for this inconvenient situation I'm forced to piece back together, I had hoped a genuine apology at the least would have come out of this.
On principal alone, I would never work for this airline. If you expect people to jump through hoops to be a part of your company, and they do, maybe you could consider the passion behind that hunger, and not the dot of ink that will be long gone soon. They have no regard for the position I'm now in. I am just glad I found out who they were without changing my life to be there only to find out later.