I felt as though I was in a bad dream that just got worse as the interview process progressed and I continued in the process to get more interview experience since it was a few years since my last job search.
Initially, I am applied for a different position and was contacted by an outside screening company. They were really focused on salary not experience and understanding. I did a search on the title with various jobs databases and learned the range up front (narrow for the industry and very low level).
This was followed by a telephone interview with the hiring manager two weeks later. As it turns out, the hiring manager was too busy to perform his own telephone screens, so he delegated it to the person most senior (very young) in the department. This person was respectful but was only interested in getting their respective questions answered (technical – position focused). I addressed their questions and they mentioned the call was over. I responded that I had a few questions and clarifications. This was not greeted with enthusiasm, yet this gave me some information that turned out later in the process not to be accurate.
I was then contacted by HR for a site interview the following week using a very generic email that stated only one date for the site interview. I was busy this particular day, so I gave them my schedule for the next week in order to give options. HR agreed to one of these dates after I called them (about a week later). I then received another generic email from HR stating do not show up too early along with general directions to the site.
The on-site interview was a series of interviews starting with the hiring manager. This was basically a vision sharing experience. They would let others perform the job related questions. This was followed by two operations managers (only 1 showed up) and this person did not seem interested in being there. This was followed by meeting with the head of quality and this person was interested to see if I fit the mold of their ideal candidate. I was told that I would work harder here than any other place I have worked before (looking for reaction). In response, I mentioned that I hoped this was not the case because as I progress in my career I have learned to work smarter not longer. This was followed by an interview with peers (two) that asked the basic questions. They also made a few statements about how it was to work there that were very helpful in determining the level of complexity and control within the quality systems (out of control). One of the peers them demanded to know numbers of my previous company. I responded that I was not able to provide these due to company policies. Finally, I interviewed with HR manager and new recruiter (contract person). They asked some leading questions around previous interactions, relationships, and conflict resolution. This led into benefits and salary. The new recruiter listed off the company benefits from a document very quickly. I asked to see the document and get a copy. I was told if we offer you a position, you then can see it. I was told that I made too much money at my last position. The new recruiter then seemed to attack by making some serious statements. I was told that I was fired from my last position (not accurate) followed by how dare I even think about working there because we only off hire the best candidates. I am not sure if this person was looking for a reaction or trying to impress the HR manager who also was in the room.