I applied to the position with a referral from an ex-colleague that thought I'd be a great fit for the role. I applied using the normal form, answering CS response prompts and setting up an online store. I also used a strongly focused cover letter and detailed resume. I applied late at night and received an interview invitation by first thing the following morning when the expressed turnaround time on application response was typically 1-2 weeks, if at all, indicating above average interest from the company.
I then set up my remote interview, and prepared by researching the role in further depth until my interview date. I was impacted by covid and was excited to have some luck with getting an interview for the first time in months.
The first interview was expressed by the recruiter to be an informal interview to get to know me better and learn about my story. He was aloof, casual, and did not ask technical probing questions.
The interview went off without a hitch. We discussed my work history, my hobbies, expanded on my unique career experience and seemed to really get along without any indications of awkwardness or hesitation. I'm usually very good at reading people after nearly 20 years in customer service, which is why the next part surprised me.
I received an email back the next day after the interview with a rejection. This didn't make a lot of sense given to the urgency of the interview (presumably based on both my on-paper qualifications and the referral of a current employee) as well as the overall tone of the conversation being positive and easy going. By all parameters, I think I had a reasonable impression.
I emailed the recruiter, who I later discovered had only become a recruiter in the last 2 months, and asked for some constructive input so that I could honestly focus on improving in future interviews.
The response I received was contradictory and absurd, and I say that without a sense of arrogance of entitlement. In the same email I was told how I was creative, experienced, had strong problem solving skills, project management skills and was capable of performing the job, except that I came across as too formal, too rehearsed and too nervous. He added that the conversation sounded like a sales pitch and that my interview jitters held me back. I was told to focus on telling my story less, with strong emphasis.
This criticism was immediately followed by an explanation that the interview is really about going with the flow and "really teaching us about your story." As you can tell, this recruiter's story doesn't add up. Additionally, my friends and and work contacts (including supervisors and peers) have all described me as approachable, laid back and authentic, so this contrary feedback was hard to understand.
I questioned the process and my conclusions were as follows:
The recruiter understood the job posting, but clearly didn't have the experience to be a recruiter or judge of character, which is going to be extremely problematic for the company moving forward. If someone qualified for a customer service job shows up and puts too much care and effort into an informal interview by showing excitement and character, then it's a warning sign that the company is hiring the wrong recruiters, or that the hiring process is inherently flawed and counter intuitive.
It doesn't matter how qualified you are on paper. It doesn't even matter who you have to vouch for you. Ways to easily earn a rejection include acting like you want the job, preparing for the job, taking the job seriously, being well-spoken, having confidence, knowing yourself, speaking too often, not speaking enough, being slightly nervous, being too positive, being too upbeat and having the recruiter not like you for reasons that are beyond comprehension.
If you're reading this as an applicant:
Save the stress. Try somewhere else, and if you do get rejected, know that it probably isn't your fault, and you're likely better off elsewhere.