Because of experiences like this, I am glad that a forum such as Glass Door exists. This allows people to call companies on their BS, and their rude insensitivity to folks who spend time going through a time consuming process only to be summarily rejected by an impersonal form letter. Yes, I know this is common and accepted, but not when you were practically offered the job in the interview. Read on...
Ironically, I never look at company reviews until after I have interviewed and it looks like they consider me as a serious candidate. After looking at reviews for Atypical Brands aka: Nume Products aka: Hugbit, I probably would have passed unless I was given an offer that transcended at will employment. Lets just say the reviews gave me serious pause, and after the fact, my experience now makes perfect sense.
I was contacted by their "HR" department (consisting of one person apparently) and invited to a face to face interview at their location in Van Nuys. Specifically, I was applying for Director of E-Com for their Nume Products brand.
The interview was conducted by the CMO, and it seemed to go well. At the end, he seemed very pleased with me and started talking about setting up a second interview with the top brass, and since I was from San Diego and had not yet moved to LA, I could opt for a Skype interview if I needed to. Very accommodating. Said they would be wanting to check references (I interviewed on a Friday and he said their HR person would get back to me Monday morning) and move to the next step, which got me excited and made me feel not only that I was the front runner, but that he wanted to fast track me.
I followed up with a nice, professional note to HR ccing the CMO who interviewed me, both thanking them for the opportunity to interview and to inquire about the next steps that had been suggested at the end of the interview. I got crickets. A few days later, I followed up again a bit alarmed at this point to let them know I had other interest (truth) and wanted to just get a read on whether I was still in contention.
I got an email back from the HR lady letting me know that he was still interviewing candidates but letting me know she wanted to keep the line open, which was a far cry from where I thought I was. Then I get an impersonal, auto generated form letter THAT SAME DAY letting me know they had selected another candidate and thank you for my time.
Based on the duplicity I experienced and multiple scary reviews on glass door, I can only imagine what the person who gets hired is in for. The only thing I really lost is the positive energy I wasted thinking this position was a strong opportunity based on what I was told and a couple hours of my time. I hope the person chosen does not damage their career or lose their soul.