Got a phone call less than a week after putting in an online application. A lot of loud noises in the background made it a bit difficult to understand everything being said, but I pulled through. I answered a few questions and got invited to an in-person interview later that week.
The man doing the interview greeted me professionally and on time. Once in the office, I saw that the man I did the phone call with was Skyping in and that he was located at the manufacturing plant, in what I presume is the HR department. They were both interviewing, so keep that in mind in terms of eye contact.
The questions were okay and typical, but the HR person very bluntly voiced his doubt over my credentials mid-interview, which threw me off, but I was planning to ask about any doubts they had anyway, so I wasn't entirely unprepared. Still, sandwiched between questions, it seemed jarring and out of place but they made it known that they are a company rife with unplanned, upfront constructive criticism. It's nothing many people aren't used to, but luckily I was - be prepared if you aren't used to it, as I think this may be a test to see how you can handle it.
Overall it wasn't bad, but there was a definite attitude towards me that was unmistakable. When I asked what was something important to know that we hadn't covered, the interviewer immediately jumped into the company's core values, which are '"conservative" and that the company is "not one of those liberal places". He went on to say they have a strict dress code (most places do) and attendance policy (again, as most places do). Overall, his answer hinted that they thought I was some kind of unprofessional chronically late person (as to why, I don't know. I was professionally dressed and 15 minutes early, and nothing on my resume indicates anything other than professional and punctual). Knowing that was a bit of a damper (just because I went to a liberal arts college doesn't mean I'm irresponsible) but even more so were his choice of words.
He very easily could have said they aren't "laid back" with attendance and dress code and that the company took them seriously. However, him intentionally setting it up as conservative vs liberal seemed subtly chosen to convey something more and after reading some of the other posts on here, I can't say I'm surprised. As a side note, as a fairly open (though not to this employer as I typically wait to do such things until I establish myself in a position) gay individual, it was very off-putting. I'm not at all stereotypical and am very feminine, but being in a position like that isn't something I want to put myself into. A heads up to other candidates - if you are female (and it looks like everyone they hire for these data entry/ customer service jobs is so far) you may want to wear a dress, probably black. Every girl in the office wears one and considering their "conservative" approach to what employees wear, I wouldn't be surprised if that was part of the dress code. For the record - I wore pants.
They are supposed to call on later this week, but I honestly don't intend on taking it, regardless of if they offer it or not.