Phone interview arranged by emp agency for 14/Apr. I happened to be on vacation in Upstate NY at the time and agreed to the interview and if it went well, I'd make the drive to Cambridge, MA. I spoke with the IT recruiter for an hour and was invited or the face-to-face to meet Gary (IT Recruiter) and Mike, the Sr. VP of Dev.
On the drive, about 1.4 hrs from the interview time, the agency calls me to tell me there is an issue with him and CIDC that all of a sudden the IT recruiter finds me in their database and informs the emp. agency they cannot pay a commission. Sad as it is to hear, it's not really my problem but after meeting Gary, I see that there is something lacking in the experience and common knowledge not only as a poker company, but for due diligence required on the company's side not to make grave errors with strong candidates such as myself.
After meeting with Gary at 5-min to 3:00, I waited 15 min for Mike Luftus, the Sr. VP of Software Dev. He arrived in sloppy attire with BBQ sauce on his sleeve and I felt as if I had interuppted his lunch.
The meeting initially started off with some humor and was told that he didn't have time for the interview so I was to keep quiet and just listen. He said "This is a test of your listening skills!" No apology of being so late. I listened with amazement as Mike digressed deeper and deeper into how he hired a consultant and was scrambling how he could build a PMO which I assumed was required now the the Mangus merger was over.
He highlighted a few lines from my resume and stated that my experience was that of a BA, Project Manager and Product Manager. Hmmmmm yeees I thought, as a Sr. BA/PM that is what my experience should be isn't it?
Oh, keep in mind I already work for the number one poker company in the world, but I was interested in Everest only because I was thinking of living in New England again.
Anyway, I listened and in the end of our meeting he tasked me with "how can I help him build a PMO". Mike had to leave and I walked out with him so I could listen more as he stated as he had to leave for another meeting (or finish his sandwich).
I walked out to my car to begin my way back to NY and thought "that was interesting", I never left so confused after an interview because I didn't feel like I was interviewed at all. The only real question to me was, what position do you see yourself in the future here? I answered, well I'm here about the BA position, but I sure wouldn't mind your "Payments Manager" position and was told it was already taken. *shrug*, as I said digression and wandering around the main point which should have been me and the role I was being interviewed for. I believe he was so focused on his own tasks that he totally lost sight of why he was there to meet me.
The interview was a Friday and on Sunday night I sent him a high-level process impact of building a PMO. He asked me to keep it very short and I think I did.
It wasn't until 4 weeks later after not hearing from Gary or Mike that I asked for a courtesy response via email to Gary. The answer was that Mike didn't know where I he would use someone with all my experience and skill and was asking the "Marketing Team" which I guess runs the poker room, but oddly enough their Chief Marketing Officer left the company after 7 yrs.
There were no offers or any competent explanations as to what my results were other than perhaps I was overqualified, too expensive for them, or there was too much going on with the issue of employment agency compensation and a potential law suit.
In the end, I knew I wouldn't accept any offer with such indecisiveness and lack of professional business acumen I wish them the best and hope their consultant can help, but for sure he'll make a lot of money from CIDC!!!
