I applied through a recruiter. The process took 3 months. I interviewed at Defran System in Oct 2011
Interview
Was contacted by profile on linked in from a 3rd party outsourced HR firm (not very professional). They were inconsistent with dates (when they would contact you, interview dates, etc). Discussed salary expectations on first call with HR. Had several phone interviews with HR, SVP (who I would report to) and the person in the current position. Had in person interview in NYC. I am a remote employee now and am familiar about how to manage expense reports. Knowing they are a small company but well financially, I was concerned about how much they scrutinized my expenses (cab ride) when I did not even include my meals, etc.
In person interview was panel with CEO, CIO, Sales Manager, Sales, CFO and another solution consultant. This was 2 months after 3 phone interviews and lasted over an hour. I had to do a demo for the team (and was given little to no instruction so was akward as they were making notes about the product I was demo'ing and having side conversations about the functionality since it was a similar asp product structurally (not a competitor or even in same market). Had 1-1 interviews with CEO, CIO, Sales and the other consultant. Upon leaving to go to the bathroom, I noticed that the CFO had thrown my resume and cover letter in the trash. I was very put off by this disrespect and he could have waited to do this at his office.
Post interview I had a follow up call with the Sales Manager and I received feedback that my powerpoint was not long enough (which I have always been trained that if you use a power point you have no power and no point). He was argumentative about my salary requirements and tried to low ball me with a hypothetical offer.
I was told 4 weeks later by HR in a 1 page rejection letter (with unprofessional and unconstructive feedback) that they went with a person from a competitor.
The interviews were average but exhausting and repetitive. I got a sense they did not really know what they wanted in a candidate. BTW, the position had high turnover-3 people in 18 months and they would not discuss their general turnover rate. Three people from the panel interview said that most employees had been there for a long time (since inception) and 'if you can get through the first year, you will make it' and that it was, overall, a difficult group to click with.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
What would I want to know now that I may not know and find in 6 months that I wish I knew?