The process took over a month. I went in for three interviews, the first two of which I left feeling positive despite their untimely responses (they would say that they will be in touch 'next week' but only get back to me in two weeks.) They expressed deep interest in my specific skills and took the time to know me as a person. We shared a lot in common not only professionally but personally. In the second interview one manager even told me all of the ways I would be an asset to their team.
The third, "interactive interview," which was to last an hour, shed a whole new light on the management I'm sad to say. I arrived at the store and was not greeted by the two hiring managers I had interviewed with. I walked around the store and introduced myself to the team, all of who I got along with great and really enjoyed shadowing. Each of them greeted me with, "Oh, I've heard a lot about you."
I soon noticed a woman sitting down at the table filling out paperwork. I was told that she had just been hired. For the same job I was applying. That shook me up and didn't feel great but I decided to continue with a positive attitude and get to know the team. Not twenty minutes into my time there both hiring managers left for a meeting. Two and a half hours later it is clear they have forgotten about me. I'm feeling like a real dummy by this point and want to leave but don't know where to find the managers.
They finally return and are hugging and shaking the hand of the new hire. One manager approaches me and asks me to gather my things. She walks me out of the door, shakes my hand and tells me that we will be in touch. Needless to say I left feeling confused and horrible with the way I had just been treated. I felt like an idiot that was completely lead on.
Regardless, I decide to follow up via email once the weekend was over. Their response was a slap in the face, that they 'aren't ready to hire' and that they will 'keep my resume in their records.'
I have no problem with not being hired. What I have a problem with is the unprofessional behavior demonstrated by the managers. If they did in fact hire someone already, why did they waste my time with the third interview that they clearly weren't interested in watching me perform instead of telling me the circumstances when I arrived? Why did they continue to lead me on with a 'we will be in touch' at the end? And why did they act like I wasn't even there? I am sorely disappointed and but am a bit relieved to have witnessed some true character.
