I recently attended an interview for a customer care position at Auckland Transport, which turned out to be a disappointing experience.During the face-to-face interview, I was informed that it was actually an on-site position with a 365-day roster and shift work. This crucial detail was not mentioned in the advertisement, which I found misleading. Despite this, I chose to proceed with the interview out of respect for their time.
During the interview, I was asked standard questions about my motivations for applying, which I answered. However, when I mentioned that I aspire to a directorial role in the future, the interviewers seemed fixated on this point. They repeatedly questioned how I believed the company could help me achieve that goal and what qualities I possessed to become a director. How do I think I could be a director? This line of questioning caught me off guard, as I was not applying for a directorial position, and their body language made the situation even more uncomfortable.
The interview lasted around 45 minutes, but I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. It was ironic, considering one of Auckland Transport's core values is "Safe with us." If the interview felt this unwelcoming and uncomfortable, I wonder what the team dynamics might be like.