I really felt like they wasted my time. Not only did I fill out the entire application and write a strong cover letter, but I also included my salary requirements. I've found most other companies who offer a wildly low salary will be upfront about it or just not even interview people asking for more money. Not the case with NSC - I felt disrespected that they ignored my requirements and took me through multiple rounds before telling me the salary was only a few hundred dollars more than the minimum living wage in Nashville (under $40k).
First step in the process, in lieu of an interview, was for the top 25 candidates to complete a project (we were given the two weeks over Christmas to complete and submit this). After spending hours completing said project, I was informed that I had made it to the top 10 candidates. The next step was an in person interview over coffee with the manager and director - this was really just a personality check to make sure you fit well with the team. They then chose a top 3 for a final round and the last step was an offer.
During the second interview, I was describing my experience and the director stopped me to tell me that I'm overqualified and that the salary would be well below what I am currently making. I felt like they hadn't even looked at my resume or cover letter (or salary requirements!) or they would have known that...
Overall it was a fairly average interview process, I just wish that they had been upfront. It would have made a lot more sense to do a personality check and THEN an in-depth project instead of wasting so many people's time and talents. Especially over Christmas when we should have been spending time with loved ones.
