The hiring and interview process stretched out tediously long - - far more than any position for which I've every applied. The first interview was in early January 2007 for 1:30 pm. At that time the hiring manager left me waiting in the lobby for 30 minutes and then came out to briefly say hello, shake my hand, and grab their car keys stating that they had to "run a quick errand" but that I could ask for someone in the HR department to talk to me while I waited "if I liked". This was by now at 2:00 pm and I learned later that the hiring manager ran out for a late lunch and didn't return until 3:00 pm.
The HR manager who was willing to talk to me as I waited was wonderful - but a little perplexed as to why they had a job candidate waiting in their office until the hiring manager returned. They talked to me for a while making small talk - then they let me read brochures about the company. I had already completed the application form - so they went over that to make certain it was filled out properly. Almost 1.5 hours after the scheduled time I finally met with the department Director and we talked for 45 minutes. At the end of our first meeting the Director told me they would be back in touch "soon".
They were "back in touch soon" - some 4 weeks later - primarily because my Recruiter stayed on top of the situation and helped get a 2nd interview scheduled for mid-February. At that time I met with the Director (again) and this time also with the head of HR, the VP of another department, plus two managers and an assistant who reported to the Director (6 interviews in all). The process took an entire afternoon.
I had to let myself out of the office as everyone had gone for the day (it was 6:30 pm).
After this there was no follow up or feedback until again my Recruiter kept the wheels turning and finally secured a third interview for me - again with the Director this time for late March.
At this third meeting we basically went over agan all he information we had covered in the first two interviews. At the end of the hour long session the Director again said that they would "be in touch soon".
Feeling that we were close to a final decision, the Recruiter and I both stayed in contact with the company on a regular basis. However, the Director told us that as a FINAL "test" I would be required to write an 8-10 page report on how to improve the project for which I would be responsible if chosen for the Manager position. I was also told that there were several other candidates doing the same type report and that they would select the "winner" based on the best ideas presented.
Highly motivated - I worked on this project for several days and put together my best and most innovative ideas - knowing full-well the information might be taken without my being selected for the job. However, by now I was determined to see this to the end and I was very proud of the information I produced for them.
The report appeared to go nowhere until the end of April at which point I was suddenly asked to come into the corporate office the following afternoon to be interviewed by the Executive Management Team.
I go there early for my meeting - but I was held up by the Director saying they weren't quite ready to see me. After noticing the Director running back and forth from their office to the copier several times in a frantic mood I asked if I could assist then and they said that they couldn't print a copy of my resume for the Executive Management Team to use in our meeting.
Fortunately I had printed several copies of both my resume and my recommendations for improving the project. Therefore after a full 15 minute delay (in which time the Executive Management Team was kept waiting in he Board Room) - I was finally allowed to go in and talk with them without the Director joining us.
I found that I had a great rapport with the Executive Management Team. They are wonderful people and excellent managers with a strong track record of success. After all the seemingly unnecessary delays from January to late April - following my afternoon meeting with the CEO and COO I received a job offer from ARS extended to me the next morning and I started my new Manager's position in May 2007.
NOTE: This is fortunately NOT typical of most other departments in this company.
