I would like to provide candid feedback on my recent recruitment experience for the Executive Assistant position.
The initial stages of the process were well-structured. I had an introductory conversation with the recruiter, progressed to the first-round interview with a very engaged panel, and subsequently completed a 1.5-hour assessment. I was then invited to a second-round interview, which I attended on site.
Following that stage, communication ceased for approximately two months. I was later contacted by the recruiter, who informed me that I remained under consideration and that further updates would follow the following week. I took this as a positive indication and continued to engage with the process in good faith. However, no further communication was provided, and instead I received an automated request to complete a candidate experience survey. Upon checking my application portal, I discovered that my status had been updated to “unsuccessful,” without any direct notification.
Given the significant amount of time invested—over ten hours of commuting for two on-site interviews, plus preparation for the assessment—this manner of closure felt highly misaligned with the professionalism one would expect from Macquarie. Transparent and timely communication is a fundamental part of a respectful candidate experience, and the absence of it reflects poorly on the overall process.
I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as enhancing communication practices and ensuring candidates are informed directly and promptly would materially improve the experience and reflect the organisation’s values more accurately.