The first phase:
1. They sent an e-mail asking me to take an online test.
2. The test website says you have to install software to take the test.
3. The software is in the chrome app store. It's free, but has an abysmal rating of 1 star with every review saying that it's overly invasive and has access to your whole computer.
4. I sent them an e-mail saying I felt uncomfortable installing this software. With all the scams going around, I figured this was just another one trying to get me to install a virus.
5. A recruiter called me, did a short, informal interview, and convinced me to install the software.
6. I install the software and take the test.
7. The software apparently uninstalled itself once the test was complete (yes, it has that much access to your computer.)
8. After a few days I got an e-mail that says they're excited to invite me to a virtual interview and to block out FOUR hours worth of zoom meetings.
The meetings:
I went to the zoom meeting interviews, which is a series of short interviews for several positions. They basically did nothing but explain the job to me, like I was already hired. They had no questions for me during the first three hours. They just talked about themselves.
Case Study:
Finally, near the end of the 3 hour mark. there was one "case study" where I had to read a basic project management case. Once reviewed, I had to tell the interviewer what I thought the issues were and how to address them. I asked for feedback on my answers, which the interviewer gave. To my horror she said I missed a point. However I DID address that point (was she not listening?), but I did not correct her as I didn't want to come off abrasive or argumentative. I just thanked her for the feedback. Regardless, she said overall I was amazing and she was putting a recommendation in for me.
Presentation:
This is probably the weirdest part of the interview. They make you create and perform your own presentation without using PowerPoint. They said some examples were ping pong and database installation (umm okay?). So with absolutely no direction and no other clarification on the rules, I went with a very unique presentation (I'll refrain from saying what it was, as I was told it was the only time they saw such a thing and I don't want to be identified). They were entranced the entire time by the subject matter, said it was amazing, and had no feedback to give.
Wrap-Up with recruiter:
The wrap-up with the recruiter seemed to go well. She asked when I could get started, I said right away. She said "but when do you graduate?" I said, "In about 2 months, but the final classes are virtual so I can attend them parallel to the job." She responded, "No, you can't get hired until you finish it completely." Really? She then asked for a price range, I said "I'm mostly just looking to work with a passionate team where we can inspire each other. I'd be willing to work for whatever you think is fair." She responded that they start off at ~$50,000 and I said "that sounds good". She said "great!" and to "just fill out a generic application real quick for the sake of finishing up all the paperwork." Again, really? Generic applications are for the sake of filtering applicants, not for after you spent 5 hours interviewing a candidate.
The application asked to do a credit check (why?), transcripts from every school I had ever attended, my Highschool GPA (from decades ago?), every job ever in my life (they wanted exact and exhaustive data on decades of work).
I was also provided a survey to give on the interview. Of course, I gave positive comments, because I didn't want my honest critical feedback to affect a hiring decision. I've never seen surveys for interview processes.
They didn't even call my references before making a decision....
About a week later they said they were "moving forward with other candidates." When I asked for feedback why that decision was made, they refused to answer stating, "[sic] The hiring process at Epic is confidential."
Overall, the process was very invasive and seemed like they were just collecting data for the sake of it, especially considering the feedback survey afterwards. It was so strange, invasive, exhaustive, and opaque that I wouldn't be surprised if they were just testing out a new hiring process with no intention of hiring anyone, or doing some sort of experimentation to gather data.
So essentially I wasted about 10 hours of my time being told I was in the bag for the job, other than crossing some T's and dotting some I's, then just left on the curb with not even a little feedback to work off of.
A monumental absolute waste of time that inspired me to write my first glass door post.