I dropped off my application and was called for an interview within a few days. The interview was with the manager and a designer and lasted about 45-60 minutes. It went very well and they were very friendly and receptive to my questions. They asked about my availability and I told them M-F. They informed me that I'd have to work one weekend a month and at least one evening per week. I agreed to that and let them know that I have evening and weekend commitments, but I will schedule around the one night per week and one weekend per month. They gave me a design project that I was to present at the 2nd interview one week later. The 2nd interview was with 2 designers, and went very well. They were very complimentary of my design and power point presentation. The interview and presentation lasted about 45 minutes and went very well and was pleasant. They asked when I could start and let me know that the manager would be calling me soon. The manager called me a few days later, confirmed my availability and salary requirements, then emailed me info to approve a background check. When we talked about schedule, she reneged on what she told me at the first interview (one weekend per month and one weeknight. Now she told me that I should expect to work every weekend, multiple weeknights and it's not possible to have a regular schedule or even request on regular day off each week. She told me that I should love where I work so much that being at work is like not being at work, and that as a salaried employee, I should be prepared to regularly stay up to 2 hours beyond my scheduled shift in case the client arrives late or things take longer. Obviously the work/life balance concept is not a priority at RH for their employees. When the manager called me back the next day for a 3rd interview with the regional manager to finalize things, I decided at that tie to nip it in the bud because what seemed so ideal at first was beginning to spiral out of my comfort zone. I felt very uncomfortable that the manager told me one thing at the first interview, but then when she was ready to hire me, her tone and answers changed completely. I told her that RH no longer seemed like a good fit for me. If I were a first-time designer out of college, this would be a good opportunity, but as a senior level designer with over 20 years of experience, this is not a good fit.

They were very welcoming and kind. I applied for Design Assistant, but she said I’d be a better fit for Consultant. After 2 interviews and declining, she mentioned the Design Assistant may be a better fit after all. I honestly think they just needed consultants.