The HR Partner overseeing format development, strategy, finance and realestate portfolio reached out to me via phone indicating this position and if I was interested. He was very proactive in explaining the role, benefits, etc and scheduled a round with the Program Director - Format Development in 2 days. That was followed by another very enthusiastic round 2 with the Senior Director - Realestate. It has been over 3 weeks now and still no response to my emails or follow-up.
Couple of things:
1) The HR reached out to me (not the other way around) for this role. I did not formally apply.
2) The hiring team was EXTREMELY quick in scheduling Rounds 1 and 2. Both went really well - no outstanding concerns or questions
3) I was overqualified for this role - this was stated multiple times by the Director and the HR. Yet they said this would be a 'Development Role' and I will have an opportunity to move into any department I liked after 18 months. That's was the reason I interviewed for this role.
3)Given the radio silence after the 2nd round, it is possible they have either restructured or filled the role. Which is totally acceptable. However, there was zero communication.
Recruiters are the first point of introduction to the company to a potential employee. The HR and the hiring team is an indicative of extremely poor representation of Walmart culture and values. I have had such a negative experience that I will not be applying here anymore. I will take my talent elsewhere.
Also, this could be a case of potential discrimination by the Senior Director - as I'm a woman and a visible minority. He did not have any concerns (I explicitly asked him if he had) with regard to my skills and qualifications. The unconscious or deliberate bias against a visible minority might be the case here too.