I have never been so blindsided by a company before in my entire job seeking process. I applied for the PM scheme in February. I did not back until a month later and I was delighted to be put forward. I completed the Arctic Shores assessment and also passed, and was then invited to the assessment centre. After a genuinely positive and lovely experience, I was then invited to a final round interview in May. This is where the story ends. Two weeks later, I receive an email from the Early Years claiming that they are taking longer than usual.
I, of course, understood this, especially with the COVID backlog. However what followed after was simply unacceptable. I continuously attempted to contact the graduate team and was met with no response. I had personally take time to contact hiring managers, who then told me they would sort it out and at least provide me with a decision. However, this was the end of all communication. At last, in June, I finally managed to receive a call claiming that "business needs" had changed and that the PM route was no longer being offered. I wouldn't have minded the result of the application had there been clear and consistent communication throughout, as well as consistently telling me I had passed the final interview. Again, after this, they said they'd arrange a new route for me within the company but I have completely been ignored yet again. This was a tiring and exhausting experience, and left me physically and spiritually drained. I reached out to countless people who had also taken part of the assessment centre alongside myself for this very route and no-one had received a reply also, shocked by the abhorrent behaviour of the company and lack of clear communication, refusing to keep applicants informed. For a company of this size and reputation, basic communication is not something that should be missing from recruitment. Being rejected is normal and a part of life, however, being left in the dark for literal months is something no candidate should ever have to go through.
