Corporate has recently utilized a Virtual Assistant (VA) chat box system, that helps streamline the application process. Technology is being utilized by many companies, now that its widely available, and I love this.
The VA asked me a few questions, set my phone interview time with me, gave me the expectation of who'd I'd be speaking with, and also reminded me 30min prior to the call on the day of. A different recruiter called me than the name I was given by the VA, due to kinks being worked out with the new system. That's ok, things happen.
Once the recruiter reached out to me, it was empty promise after empty promise, of who would be reaching out to me and when.
I reached back out to the recruiter 5 times within a two week time period. Five times ...and zero expectation that the company set for me was ever met. "The VP or Director will be calling you within the next two days." Didn't happen, so I sent two texts the next week... both ignored. Sent a third text, ignored. Sent a screenshot showing that my messages are being read, but I'm being ignored... finally a reply, with the expectation of being called back after the recruiter was off the phone. No call. I sent another message the following day. Again, I was promised a call.
There has been zero ability to speak something into existence as a created expectation, and then follow through. Each of my iMessages marked with "read", showed me that I was being ignored and not important enough to follow up with.
It came to the point where I asked to be taken off the list for consideration. This is already a company I can't respect based on my first-hand experience and their inability to follow through with anything... anything at all.
The virtual assistant may be the best thing created for them, but its starts and ends there...
First Watch, you've lost a far overqualified candidate, and now a customer too.