I applied online. I interviewed at Karius (Sacramento, CA) in Apr 2021
Interview
Karius had previously expressed interest in me for this role but I was employed elsewhere at the time. I recently resumed my job search, and applied for a similar position with them that was reposted. I was handed off immediately to an internal recruiter who told me that the job is "really a science writer position not a medical writer position, and I don't see anything in your background that qualifies you for this". I told her I am qualified for the position based on the posting. I said to her, If it's a "science writer" then why is it posted as "medical writer"? The recruiter didn't answer except to say "the hiring manager doesn't want someone like you in this position" (exact words). The recruiter shouted at me, literally raised her voice to me multiple times during our 15 minute "conversation", questioned my professional integrity, characterizing me as someone who had no business applying for a job I was obviously qualified for. She was rude, disrespectful, and incompetent. In my long career, I have never been spoken to in such a manner. It was appalling. At one point, she said to me, "What would even make you think that you are qualified for this job? I'm not seeing it." To which I replied, before you joined Karius a couple of months ago, the previous recruiter expressed interest in me based on a review of my resume, and the hiring manager is a first connection with me on LinkedIn, so that might be an indication why I thought I might be considered for the job. She continued to raise her voice, talking over me, interrupting me, not letting me finish a sentence, asking questions that she answered herself before I had a chance to open my mouth. I finally told her, "I do not like the direction this interview is taking and I'm ending it now" and I hung up on her.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
"I don't see anything in your background that qualifies you for this job" (false)
"The hiring manager doesn't want to hire someone like YOU." (said to me in a raised voice)
"What would make you think you are qualified for this position? (said with sarcasm, continued talking, not letting me answer)