I applied online, and 2 weeks later received a phone call from HR to schedule an on-site interview at Utrecht with the hiring manager & HR representative. The interview lasted about an hour. Just before the interview began I was told by the panel that they were not in a rush to fill the position, so if I got any position elsewhere I could take it. I, therefore, did not understand why the interview was to take place. Because I realized from the onset that I was out of the race, by virtue of my appearance(color), even before the interview began. I was also surprised by the type & style of their questions, like that of my age. Because it was stated categorically in the job description that the company bases its selection procedure mainly on skills, capabilities & experience of applicants. But the entire episode during the interview was the exact opposite of that. About three weeks after the interview I was called by HR by phone to be told that I had been rejected because I lacked banking experience, and that they had filled the position with somebody with banking experience. I was not surprised at their decision, because I, indeed, expected a negative outcome, even before the interview began. This was a classic example of judging a candidate on issues that had nothing to do with the job, and I find it unprofessional.
