After the interview process, I received a phone call from the CEO Nicole and received a verbal offer! I excitedly thanked her and said I would love to learn about the next steps which she said was to receive an offer letter in writing. At this point I hadn’t met the team yet. Luckily the store was hosting a “Galantines" event, she said that would be a great idea to stop by and she would inform the team to expect me, and it would be a great chance to ask any questions. Needless to say, I was very excited. At the event I met the majority of the team, half of which were very sweet (especially Adriana), but the other half ignored me.
I was encouraged to ask the girls questions per Nicole’s recommendation, which I did, regarding work/life balance, how they like their positions and the company, and their backgrounds. I did not ask anyone an inappropriate question on their personal salary or anything of the sorts. I thought the event went smoothly. The whole team was white, and as a person of color I already felt a little uncomfortable and out of place. For example, one girl completely ignored me and ran when I stuck out my hand to shake hers, another looked me up and down.
Unfortunately, the next day I got a call from Chelsey Rose from HR, who to my surprise retracted my offer in a rude tone without offering any explanation. She was hesitant when I asked for feedback and she said she didn’t know the whole story, but my comments and questions on compensation during the interview process were allegedly “inappropriate” and “unprofessional” and that they are “not that kind of company”. I was shocked. Nicole was entirely aware of my situation even before she made gave me a verbal offer. She even convinced me to keep interviewing by calling me personally afterI politely withdrew after the first phone screen. I had found out the base was 40K, which was a significant pay cut for me and I did not want to waste her time, and explained to her my preexisting medical conditions and that I support my family so understanding the comp plan is essential for me. Ladies if you are going to make a huge decision and leave your job for a new job, YOU DESERVE TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY.
When I asked for the average deal size, ramp up time, questions like that, I was told I needed to sign an NDA. Which I was fine with (but also never received). I just did not have the privlage to blindly accept without details. As you should never do ladies.
I want everyone here to know who is applying in NYC that it is LEGAL and it is YOUR RIGHT to receive and have transparency on a job package.
They were terrified of my detailed questions and for them to retract my offer immediately after the event, it’s obvious the team most likely gave negative feedback. Which is fine, if I am not a culture fit, then I am not a culture fit. Then tell me that. Do NOT tell me you are retracting the offer due to "too many unprofessional questions about compensation" after a verbal offer was made. I am a positive, bubbly, bilingual woman of COLOR who is great at sales and does not tolerate lack of communication or clarity and most importantly I do not tolerate racism or inequality.
Overall, I am quite glad I dodged a bullet. If you are ambitious like me, your perfect role will come! There are companies who DO care and give you the transparency you deserve, as outlined in Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Paycheck Fairness act.