First screening with Regional Talent Manager. Was genuine, real, and conversational. Indicated they rarely hire externally but often post “bench” positions to source for talent. To clarify- the listing was posted for LA District Sales Manager and half way through the call I found out there was actually no open position they were just looking to bench talent in case something opened up down the line. I was then asked to attend a 6 hr group meeting with other District level candidates and to have a 5 minute presentation prepared on a successful initiative I’d completed in the past 2 years and to be ready to present it without the use of any technology. This meeting was basically an all day adult group interview with role play and exercises looking to see who stood out. Following this within another 2 weeks or so I was asked to a phone interview with 2 regionals. This is where the wheels fell off. This interview was the most impersonal, cold, robotic experience I’ve had in my 20 years of retail. (Mind you I’m 6 weeks into an interview process interviewing for a position that doesn’t even exist but still giving the process my best effort) Every question was scripted, there was zero acknowledgement of any answer given, unless it was “gotcha” and it was so uncomfortable for them when I tried to lighten the mood that I could hear it through the phone. Also often I would staff answering a question that was apparently coming up and he would say ok yes we will get to that, as if scolding me for being thorough. Most questions were behavioral (shown below) For a company that claims to value people and culture, I was extremely disappointed by the higher level interaction and it immediately made me reconsider working for this brand. My advice would be don’t waste your time, they will take 2-5 MOs from you and have no open positions unless you are willing to relocate. Super shady. Also they don’t like to hire externals and have a very snide filter for “outsiders”

Contacted to have phone interview, then drove to have in person interview, and the last portion was the candidate group interview. Whole process took nearly 2 months with barely any communication except on my part. Never had such a lengthy experience such as that. Waste of candidates time because they are "pooling" with positions that don't exist. Turning down very experienced candidates.