Before describing the whole process I'd like to mention that the reason for applying to OMICRON Electronics was the strong similarity between the actual working place, the ideal desired working place and the one described on their website:
"We strive to create a work environment that makes innovation possible. This means providing the freedom and leeway people need to do their best and feel a sense of personal responsibility to give their all. Our goal is to deepen the commitment of our staff and, in doing so, lay the groundwork to master today's challenges and those yet to come. We firmly believe it is more enjoyable to work in a company where respect, fairness and trust mean more than artificial boundaries and regulations. For example, at OMICRON, you can flexibly distribute your work hours to suit your needs. As long as the needs of customers are met, and your projects and team members stay on schedule, we'll make sure you have enough time for the things that are important to you away from work."
One other mention: I live and work in an EU country.
I was contacted by HR on my mobile phone trough out the whole process. I was contacted via email when the HR representative (a woman) was not able to reach me on the phone. At the second missed call from my part she worried over email whether my phone number was correct. Even the conclusion of the process was delivered over the phone (she called twice, no email).
The first part of the process was to write a "motivation letter". The HR representative had a positive feedback about it.
Looking backward on the whole process, the HR was more concerned about why and how I would move to Austria than how I could make a contribution to their company. More details below ...
There was a remark in one of the email about me having the liberty to express my personality and wear whatever clothes I want at OMICRON.
The next step was an online video interview which was delayed by 2 weeks by HR because of the Easter holidays. There were 3 persons in the interview: the HR representative, a senior technical manager and a younger technical one. Most of the questions were addressed by the senior member.
Most of the questions were about my previous working experience and working style. Most of the dialogue was conducted professionally. But there were some exceptions:
- They were amused by some of my answers and I would have preferred to "share the joke with me".
- The senior member expressed (more for himself) a doubtful remark regarding the fact that I worked during faculty. If he would have address this issue to me directly I would have explained to him that at least half of my department has done that and still we are currently developing a world-leading product.
- They asked questions about how my girlfriend would move to Austria with me, if she can find a job. After some details from my part, their conclusion was that she needs to learn German in order to find a job in Austria. As far as I know, she is able to find another job much easier and faster than me.
The video interview took 1h (of 1.5h allocated). I had the opportunity to ask questions at the end. I've asked: "how does the perfect candidate for the job look like?". I remember the part where that person cares a lot about what the customer's needs and takes the time to create a good product.
The last interaction was with the HR representative, on the phone. She wasn't willing to continue the application process with the technical test. She gave some reasons:
- my current working style involved some degree of autonomy, self-management and working with teammate located in other cities (while I do work with colleagues in the same office) and the fact that I work alone on some of my projects.
- my courses in coaching and training, and having a master in online business, made them confused about my career direction (I call it being a polymath and personal development and having hobbies/passions outside the workplace)
- my girlfriend having difficulties in finding a job in Austria
Being an over the phone announcement it's hard to be sure what were her exact words and meaning. I was taken by surprise because I was expecting her to give more pertinent reasons. Like having difficulties to express myself in English, expressing my concerns about the rampant corruption spreading among government officials in my home country, stating that a good UI should not require an user manual, etc.
It was not a technical interview therefore I assume it was a personality or culture-fit interview.
Over all it was a pleasant and learning experience with a high dose of disappointment at the end: what seemed as advantages and qualities from my perspective for them seemed as problematic.
