In total, it was a three stage interview process. I applied for a GM role and received an email with an invite to interview with the Area Manager. I was not asked to present or prepare anything, just to visit a site before the interview.
The initial interview was professional but relatively relaxed. I was asked about my previous roles (profit, KPI's etc), but the basis of the interview was discussing the business and expectations of the role. I was asked about salary expectations and based on my current salary and after conducting market research I said I'd be looking for £28k which I was told, quite categorically, would not be a problem.
After enjoying the first interview and happy with, job role and location - I attended a four hour trial shift at their Red Brick Mill site. So far, I had spent six hours pursuing a possible position with Filmore and Union.
I was then invited to a final interview with the CEO - which is where my experience started to take a downward spiral. Upon sitting down, I was aware that the interview was no longer going to be professional and instead would result in an uncomfortable half an hour.
Whilst I believe an informal, relaxed atmosphere is necessary at work to deliver the best results - having the CEO swearing casually during the interview was awkward and unnecessary. On top of this, he was far more interested in my personal life than my management experience. To put this into perspective, the first question I was asked is whether I was married. The second was whether I had, or intended to have children. He then spent the next section of the interview asking probing questions about my partner and what he did for a living.
The interview felt bizarre to say the least, I highly doubt a man applying for a GM position would have been asked the same questions.
During the interview I was asked whether salary was the be all and end all to me, to which I replied "No, however it would have to be in line with my personal requirements." Something I still very much stand by.
A few days later, I received a call from the area manager offering me an alternate, smaller site to the one I applied for earning 24k. £4,000 less than what was discussed at interview. A salary I was earning four years prior to this very conversation.
Taking a pay cut for a more demanding role than I was already in, in a location further to where I was living, despite interview salary negotiations - felt like a breach of trust on their part. I politely declined and stated, that if they were able to at least match my salary I'd definitely take the role, however I was not willing to take a pay cut, given that I was still interviewing for other roles.
It was then that I received a personal phone call from the CEO himself which was brash, rude and ultimately made my mind up.
I'd never want to work in a company with a man like him at the forefront of it.
Whilst he tried to convince me that F&U would be a great place to work, that if I was good enough he'd review my salary in 3-6 months (we've all heard that before!) again, I stated that I physically couldn't afford to take a pay cut, as I openly discussed at interview, and again with the Area Manager I could not accept 24k.
I was then told that I wasted his time, that I clearly wasn't the right fit for F&U if my life revolves around money and good luck finding anywhere that will pay me more, before pretty much hanging up on me.
Whilst I will never get an apology for the frankly disgusting way I was spoken to on the phone and the sexist, intrusive interview - I owe you a thank you. I'm now about to embark on a career, in a better location, with a far better work life balance, a larger site with a much better turnover - and to top it all off - on 10k more than what you offered me.
Thank you
