I submitted my resume and application to a Tier 1 global automotive supplier. After passing 2 rounds of phone interviews, I was granted the opportunity for a face to face interview with the Global HR Director. Wow, I was impressed and excited. Upon my arrival I was placed in a large modern conference room with all the tech gadgets to allow such a large company to collaborate in real time. Again I was impressed.
That was until the Masked Woman came into the room. She was tall, early 40's, 50's, or 60's -- but it was hard to tell because she had a plastic surgery mask on with all the surgeon's drawings and pen markings still in place on her skin. She had what looked to be fresh surgical stitches decorating her exposed hairline which formed a messy bun type thing in the back. Now as if this were not enough, she then asked me some questions totally unrelated to the job: "Do you drink?", "Do you go to church?" After 14 minutes I thanked her for her time and excused myself, never to apply there again.
The very next day I had another interview scheduled with a small company that only operated in Michigan. This company was on a growth path but needed a Sr. Manager to help with the new PMO roll out. I was a great candidate and eventually scored a face to face interview. This time there was a panel interview of 6 people. The interview went great! We laughed joked and even was told "you are a sure fit".
But, about five minutes before the interview was over in his closing remarks the CEO asks me, "You look American are you a citizen?" Followed by, "You don't look like one of those people who was in the army, but were you?" and the icing on the cake was when he said "Well then if we offer you the job no need to worry about a background check because we have had some tough times with that [background checking]." He went on to explain "... especially when the CFO was accused of the rape, of our former HR Manager." I must have looked like a deer in headlights. I stood up shook the rapist's hand, and everyone else and thanked them for their time; but just about ran out. At the first parking lot I came to, I pulled in and sent a quick note from my phone:
"Gentlemen, Thank you for your time today, however after today's revelations, I have reconsidered working for your company and immediately rescind my candidacy. Thank you and good luck in the future."
Lesson's learned file: No matter how large or small the company, not everywhere is a good fit for me.
