Interview considered of a phone interview with the Creative Director and the Results Jedi. During the call, my work experience, background and skills were discussed. I was also told a little bit more about the skills required for the position but not really the position itself and an in-person interview was then immediately scheduled.
The day before my interview, I was asked to provide my salary expectations. I never like having to provide that information, but reluctantly did so.
My in-person interview was with the same individuals as the phone interview.
When I initially entered the building, I was a little early and no one was in the lobby, but I could hear people chatting in the other room. It sounded as though they were having lunch. I was planning to wait and if they did not come out in 5 mins, I would let them know I had arrived. I could overhear their conversation. They were loudly discussing previous candidates they had interviewed (not sure if it was for the same position) and the comments they made were not nice. I don't recall specifically what what said, because I was trying not to listen, but did overhear them bashing a candidate's physical appearance and the "stupid" questions that candidate asked during the interview. I felt uncomfortable being there without their knowing so I left to take a quick walk around the block. I was still early so I had a little time. I came back about 5 mins later and they were still discussing candidates, but it was quieter so I could better tune it out. This was a potential red flag to me.
After a few minutes, the Creative Director came out and told me we would meet in a few minutes and to hang tight. The lunch group proceeded to exit over the next few minutes and I was able to see those involved in the candidate bashing. Once they had left, I was ushered into the room they had eaten in and my interview began.
Right off the bat, I was told they had interviewed a lot of candidates and wanted me to go over my background again to refresh their memory. To me, that was another potential red flag. When I interview candidates on the phone, I jot down follow-up questions either about something they say or something in their resume to ask in an in-person interview. The fact that they couldn't even remember or had notes from our phone interview was a little hurtful.
We pulled up my website and when over my portfolio and some of the projects from my site. The job description was discussed in more detail, though never to the level I wanted. Since it was a contracting position, there were some questions they couldn't give an in depth answer to. The Creative Director was able to answer broad questions about the company and the expectations, while the Results Jedi could answer more technical requirements questions. I was asked some questions about my background and how I handle certain situations, but primarily the interview involved me asking them questions about the client, the work structure, project turn around time, review processes, work environment, software and skills needed to be successful and day to day responsibilities.
After a while, they tried to end the interview by proceeding to tell me that they would reach a decision by the following week and would contact me back then. I still had more questions since I did not feel the position had adequately been explained, but I just figured that if I would receive an offer, I would not accept it until I had a follow up conversation with them where I could get the answers to some of my remaining questions. Them ending the interview short was the third potential red flag.
I left the interview having a less than favorable view of the company or the company's culture. It has now been a several weeks since my interview and I have not heard anything. It is appropriate to notify candidates when an applicant has been hired.
