I don't usually leave reviews about interview experiences, but I felt this one was worth sharing because there were several aspects of the recruitment process that could be improved.
A recruiter reached out to me on LinkedIn regarding an Executive Assistant opportunity supporting the President. I initially declined because the advertised compensation was below my current salary range. The recruiter encouraged me to reconsider and asked me to send my resume, explaining that the role might still be worth exploring. I appreciated the outreach and decided to move forward.
Communication throughout the process was inconsistent. After I submitted my resume, there was no update for approximately two weeks. When the recruiter eventually scheduled a video call, I was told I would receive the meeting link the Friday before our Monday interview. The link never arrived, and on Monday I had to follow up myself through LinkedIn. Only after my message did the recruiter call me directly, but by then I was no longer available at the scheduled time, so we spoke later that afternoon instead.
During our conversation, the recruiter appeared unprepared. She mentioned that she had forgotten to take notes and even joked about "not being good at my job." While I appreciate authenticity, it did not inspire confidence in the hiring process.
My interview with the Head of People was a completely different experience. He was professional, well-prepared, asked thoughtful questions, and represented the company very well. I left that conversation with a positive impression and looked forward to the next stage.
I was then invited for an in-person interview with the President. I arrived early, fully prepared, and the discussion lasted around 20 minutes, covering my experience and several situational questions. Throughout the process, however, I was asked to explain my career gap multiple times—by the recruiter, the Head of People, the recruiter again, and finally during the interview with the President. While I understand the importance of discussing employment gaps, repeatedly answering the same question suggested that interview notes were not being shared effectively between interviewers.
At the conclusion of my interview, I was told that the role was urgent and that decisions would be made quickly. It has now been over two weeks without any communication. I sent a polite follow-up email simply to close the loop, but I never received a response from the recruiter.
My intention is not to criticize the individuals involved, as everyone I met in person was courteous and respectful. However, the overall candidate experience lacked organization, communication, and follow-through. Candidates invest significant time preparing for interviews, arranging schedules, and attending meetings. Providing timely updates even if the decision is not to move forward is a basic professional courtesy and reflects positively on a company's culture.
I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as improving communication and coordination throughout the hiring process would greatly enhance the experience for future candidates.