I was screened over the telephone for about 30 minutes and invited in the following week for a more formal, one-hour interview. Both interviews took place on the weekend (store manager's choice, not mine).
The store manager was late for my in-person interview, then ducked into the back area and left me standing around on the sales floor for a few more minutes before returning. I almost walked off at that point because I already had a vision of how shabbily I'd be treated if I landed the job. But I stayed because I'd already prepared and taken the time from my precious weekend to be there.
The store manager didn't seem to have thought through exactly where we would conduct the interview, so he headed out into the mall with me. The limited seating there was already taken, so the entire interview was conducted with both of us uncomfortably perched on a window sill with many customers passing by and standing nearby and zero confidentiality and privacy. I found it quite unprofessional, but simply carried on as best I could.
When I left, I was told a decision would be made within days as to whom among the candidates would be getting an interview with the store manager's boss.
There was no follow up at all, though. I think if someone has taken time from two successive weekends to pursue a position and presented himself or herself professionally, s/he deserves at least to be contacted in a timely fashion with a decision. Based on the reviews here, it is not a particularly great company to work for in the first place. Finding capable, experienced people to work for little money cannot be easy in this environment. So why the arrogance and the unprofessionalism? Employment is a two-way street. Candidates are judging you just as you are judging them.
I thought the treatment was lousy, and I will never shop at Sur La Table or recommend the store to anyone simply as a way of registering my ongoing disapproval of my experience.
