Initial screen with talent mgt which was honest and informative. I was concerned about the plethora of harsh reviews from employees on Glassdoor and this was addressed head-on. OK, I am game to keep going.
This was followed by an interview with the hiring manager (recent hire) also good and informative. Was very clear on what needed to be accomplished; the challenges and what they needed. All good so far.....
This was followed by an interview with HR WITH another business unit leader, which was very odd. Felt like HR was monitoring the business person......Definitely a weird vibe from the get-go.
The general vibe from the beginning was "I am very busy and why are you here." Note to self: Ah, uh, well, I thought you were looking to hire talent.
I asked some legitimate hard questions that seemed to dim the discussion, e.g., I asked for insight into announcement that the CEO and CAO were dismissed effective immediately and simultaneously. Rather a bold change that one would expect any candidate to inquire about. Got a perfunctory non-answer answer. Really? Red card for you.
Look, this is what I imagine your customers and prospects are either thinking or asking. While understanding there are possible HR issues, one can think of a few ways to present this in a more honest, forthright manner......even, dare I suggest it, a more positive spin.
So much for "candor" which the HR person made such pronouncements about how this is such a so so valued within the company. Hmmm.....Yellow card for you.
Btw, HR person’s attempt at humor with candidate’s comment was awkward and disrespectful in the context. I mean, this is how you behave in an interview with someone interviewing for a more senior role? Really?
Wait! There’s more.
Asked about competitive positioning and got a dismissive response. Got the sense “we really do not have competition.” Warning: reality distortion field. I hope you have a better response for business prospects. Red card for you.
Last, the HR person had to drop off the call due to “other commitments” less than 30 minutes into the hour call. Bad form. News flash: My time is as valuable as yours and I blocked out an hour, thank you very much. Red card for you.
Note: This was followed by the other interviewer doing the same about 10 minutes later (45 minutes into the call). "If you dont have any questions I have to go." Hmmm. Red card.
This experience was enough for me (and you) to answer why I would want to work for them. Spoiler alert: pass. Couple my experience with employee comments and you get a sense of the company culture. Perhaps the new CEO was hired to turnaround the company. Rather telling that he is a former senior executive of the company.
Note to company culture minister: Mission and value statements on a website are, well, fine. Business prospects, customers and, yes, candidates evaluate you on how you behave.
In the immortal words of Austin Powers: “Oh Behave!”
[Candidate drops the mic and walks offstage]