Applied online. Was called by HR about four weeks later. Was asked 3-4 typical questions, wanted to know when I would be available. Very nice and professional, Was told my resume was being forwarded to the hiring manager for review. Was contacted about two weeks later by a scheduler who asked me to drive to Chicago (3 hour drive) for a personal interview with the hiring manager and her assistant. The date and time was agreed to without any difficult. Drove to Chicago on the appointed day and met with the hiring manager and her assistant. Was taken upstairs to a very small room on a completely empty floor. Was told there had just been a major remodel. The moment I met the two ladies, I knew it wasn't going to end well. Neither one of them smiled, offered me anything to drink, and kept looking at their watches. When we sat down, I was told the format was the were each going to tell me a little about their backgrounds, and then ask me two questions. Two questions, after driving three hours. And the two questions were the most basic of basic questions. I was really taken back. I had expected a very professional, detailed, and probing process. Was completely the opposite. Could not have been more disappointed. My background hit every button on the job requirement description, and I'm sure that's why I was fast-tracked for the one-on-one interview. But once I got there, the air went out of the balloon. After they asked their two questions, I which took about five minutes, I was asked if had any questions. I figured as long as I was there, I might as well get my money;s worth, so I would up more or less interviewing them. Asked them seven or eight questions about the company, the position, things they were looking for in the new hire, etc. I could tell this made them uncomfortable, but I thought if they weren't going to take the time, I would.
My last question was about the hiring timeline. I was told the interview process was in the "infancy stage" and it would probably be "weeks" before I heard anything. I thanked them for their time and walked me downstairs.
Less the 48 hours later, I got a copy and paste email saying that they were going to consider other consider other candidates who were "more qualified" for the position - which was baloney, because both of the people that interviewed me told me I was very well qualified. I politely replied that I thanked them for their interest and consideration, and would like to be reimbursed for the 350 miles I drove and the $15 in tolls I had to pay for driving to Chicago - at their invitation - for the interview.
Haven't heard anything back and would be shocked if I did.
I can't tell you how unimpressed I was with the two people that interviewed or by the way I was treated, For a company with Allstate's reputation, I expected a first-class interview process, regardless if got the job or not. It was everything but that. If I was in senior management and new I had people like that on the frontlines in charge of the interviewing and hiring process, I'd replace them in a hearbeat.