A university, for example, called me to tell me they were going to start their phone screens “in a few weeks” and that if I passed the phone screen a few weeks later there’d be a four hour interview with multiple locations and staff. I said “Ok, sure, whatever”. A few weeks later, I passed the phone screen with flying colors. Then, nothing. I assume eventually they’ll call me for an interview, but by then I’ll be working for someone else.

Meanwhile, another company called me for a phone screen, and promised they’d interview me “in a few weeks”. I said “Ok, sure, whatever.” Then they called me for an interview over the phone, and when I passed, they said they were going to schedule a followup interview in person. I’m still waiting.

And another consulting company almost hired me, but their CTO said he was worried I’d be “overwhelmed” because I didn’t know the specific technology framework he wanted to use, and he said “Don’t worry, maybe we’ll hire you in the next quarter for something else.” As if being unemployed wasn’t overwhelming. Thanks but no thanks.

While all this was going on, I was waiting for a consulting company to set up interviews for me, but they were all talk, no walk. I don’t think I ever met any of them in person. Finally I told them “thanks, but no thanks” and they were actually surprised by this. I pointed out that they hadn’t gotten me a single interview, and they said that it wasn’t their fault, all the companies were cancelling the job offers entirely, not hiring anybody. But there’s one job that still wants to interview you, etc, etc. I said “thanks but no thanks” again and that was that.

Another organization invited me for a physical interview, then said they were doing some more interviews and would let me know in a week or so. This organization had taken a couple of months to set up the interview, but at least it was a real interview. I took this one seriously.

Finally, one company invited me for an interview, and said “if you pass the interview, we can start you next week.” This one, too, I took very seriously.

If companies want to hire people, I mean actually HIRE people, they need to stop wasting everyone’s time. Unemployed people can’t wait around for months on end for some idiotic company to get their act together. There are bills to pay! People to feed! Mortgages to try to keep out of foreclosure!

When you’re unemployed, it’s a race: the first paycheck wins. Companies that have a slow hiring process aren’t even worth considering.

Down to earth insight. Thx for posting.

Hmm, seems that WordPress bugged out quite a bit, replying to Indiana Catbert, 3 posts up.

sorry about the confusion.

2 months go by with more candidates interviewed, but still no match. Recruiter is concerned, but swallows hard.

Employer full of himself, looking for a doppelganger.

Thanks Evil HR Lady!

I finally understand why this one company keeps asking me to come in for an interview, then ignores me for a year, just to ask me to come in for another interview (for three completely different potential positions by the way, only one of which they told me about beforehand…)!