I never applied for this position; an outsourced recruiter contacted me through a job platform. I was somewhat open to new opportunities because I had been on family leave to care for a sick family member. Given the circumstances, I was only considering good opportunities that seemed like a great fit. The recruiter convinced me of the position and the company. She was extremely friendly and easy to talk to. After a 30-minute phone screening, I found that I matched almost all the qualifications they were seeking, and it seemed like a great opportunity. She connected me to the hiring manager, and I set up a video interview a few days later, which went terribly. Partially, it was my fault since I was a bit rusty at interviewing. I was excited about the position and may have been overly chatty about my previous work experience, but that experience seemed to match what the role required. However, I could tell the hiring manager was rude and not paying attention to me. They seemed eager to end the call. Despite the awkward interview, I followed up with a thank-you email to the hiring manager but never received a response. I was ghosted! This was highly unprofessional! Employers should understand that sometimes candidates are nervous or don’t interview well, and once they get to hiring manager level interviews, they deserve a response.
I was disappointed at first, but in hindsight, I realize I dodged a bullet by not working there, especially under that hiring manager. Overall, I do not recommend interviewing or applying to this company. It is a small startup with unprofessional hiring practices. Employers should also remember that candidates are also evaluating them for a good fit and experience.