The interview process seemed to be handled professionally. Started off with a phone screen, and then I was asked to come in for a two person panel interview.
I should of seen the red flag from the start when they bragged how much of a family atmosphere the company had been. My interview had been conducted after they were acquired by a private equity firm, so I really don't know before or after, only how I was treated.
I was treated good and bad if that makes sense. Though at the end of the day I am left feeling the good was just for show.
I was told my background was what they were looking for, and they were making an offer to someone I was told I would be working with regularly. Everything left me feeling very upbeat, excited, and encouraged. Finally I found my home.
Then I followed up twice, first being a week later and I didn't hear back. Then a week after that, and the next day I heard back with what felt like an automated response.
I was informed via that "after careful consideration our hiring team reviewed your application and interviews and did not select your application for further consideration".
For a company that presents themselves as a family, this was a very cold delivery.
I did ask for feedback, as I was genuinely wondering where I came up short, and where I could improve. No response. So now I'm just left wondering. Waited over a month and contacted the person I would have been reporting to directly, and again ask for feedback. I don't know what I did to deserve the silence. The job market is so hard out there, this just makes things that much worse. Especially when they present themselves as a "family" atmosphere.
I spent 60+ hours in preparation for this interview, and I really enjoyed it, for a brief moment it actually felt like I was working again. I researched everything I could find out about the company. Made files for everything from company history, to competitors, trade associations, finding a catalog online to review their product line, to rehearsing potential interview questions with my wife. I put together a company profile, sales and business plans, and still I came up short.
I'm 46 trying to break into a new industry, I face age discrimination regularly. Thought for a second this place was going to give me the opportunity to lead my own team again. At the end of the day, it just left me wondering why I even tried as the job was posted again the next week, and then the next week, and so on....
I applied in May, interviewed towards the end of June, and the job was still being posted into September. (2024)
Maybe I dodged a bullet, maybe they missed out, maybe we missed out on each other, but they just didn't want me, and I'll never know why.
The hiring process here is broken, cold, and anything resembling a family atmosphere. At the very least show some heart and offer feedback as to why a candidate isn't selected if it is requested.
