The whole process was utterly bizarre. I responded to the job, which was located in my home city, agreed a time to meet with the correct person. I then received an email while I was at work asking if I could do the interview the same day rather than the agreed time, unfortunately I could only stick to the agreed date and time. As I didn't receive a response, I got back in touch asking if they were able to reschedule. I then get a response that it will go ahead today, despite the fact the manager had failed to inform me, and this was the first red flag of many. The interview begins with a reasonable pleasant individual along with my would-be boss, who seems unable to display any warmth, enthusiasm or interest in this process, looking border-line angry and unhappy to be here. I am amazed at the level of unprofessionalism from someone who intends to lead a team of people. I decide to push ahead and see if this is a test. I explain my work history in detail, although interrupted by my hiring manager as he initially did not like that I started with a summary. After being grilled about my figures(fair enough, it's good to have specifics) I am then asked about my impression of their current website, to which I politely criticise its use of dated technology and suggest opportunities to update it. This is met with a very passive aggressive and defensive stance from the person who would be my manager who is increasingly looking like have accused them of some kind of wrong-doing. At this point, I am quickly losing interest in the role and I am starting to see a worrying pattern of behaviour. I ask about the rewards program trying to get the conversation flowing again, I am met with what I can only describe as an almost poetic response from the hiring manager that seemed to circumvent any real answer. I am now beginning to seriously question the competence and level of leadership at this point, and just want the interview to end. I've heard all I need to. But then comes the cherry on top; when I ask about the locations of the team, the manager says that they still don't know where the job will be based. When I ask for clarification this role could be in any number of continents... I have had enough, I politely say that this is not the role for me and hope that I can put this chaotic experience behind me and just move on. I am asked why by the hiring manager, I go on to explain that I have no desire of leaving my home country, the job location in the advert stated my home city and country and that is something they should decide upfront before publishing the job advert; it will only waste their time as much as mine if I discover vital details, such as the part of the globe I will be based in affects my personal circumstances, legal protections/obligations or puts me in physical danger. Two of the possible locations he suggested were high-risk and one is a dictatorship where human rights are almost non-existent... I try to remain polite and professional and end things as quickly as possible, I give them an easy out by saying that maybe they should confirm with the recruitment agency about the job description, but then I am given a recital by the hiring manager apologising for the confusion and saying how much they care as a company and won't hide behind the recruitment agent and will take full ownership. I am embarrassed for them to the point that I wrap things up as quickly as possible. The interview ends and I hope by remaining polite I have still made it clear I do not wish to hear from them again. Utterly bizarre, frustrating and chaotic experience, very unprofessional.
