I applied via LinkedIn through Easy Apply, which simply attached my resume. About two days later, I received an email with no subject line, which initially made me hesitant to open it due to the prevalence of phishing scams. Upon reviewing it, I saw it was an invitation for an in-person interview scheduled for the following week at 5 PM.
A few aspects of the process stood out as unusual. First, the interview was scheduled for a late hour, which is uncommon. Additionally, no phone or video screening was conducted beforehand, which is a standard step in most hiring processes. Curious about the company’s approach, I researched the interview process on this platform and discovered that all applicants were brought into a group setting, where each candidate answered the same questions in front of one another.
I reached out to the person who emailed me to clarify the interview format. Initially, the response described it as a “group interview,” which could be mistaken for a panel interview. I followed up to confirm whether this meant multiple candidates being interviewed simultaneously, and they confirmed that was the case. Given that this group format had reportedly been used throughout the summer, I found it concerning and decided to withdraw my application.
While every company has its own hiring approach, I personally prefer processes that allow for more direct engagement and individual evaluation. Based on my experience, I would encourage future applicants to do their research and consider whether this interview style aligns with their expectations.