This was the most insane interview experience ever. First interview was in NJ in September, at the office of Popular Club (they have since sold it off). CEO Larry Nusbaum was supposed to be there, and was not, so an executive at Popular Club conducted an interview. I was told he would recommend me for an interview with Mr. Nusbaum.
After several follow ups, I was called in just before Thanskgiving to meet with Mr. Nusbaum. Initially told it would be in NJ, then the night before they said it would b in NYC in the morning. Then they called back to say it would be in NYC in the afternoon, but first, could I drive to the NJ location to pick up a packet to deliver to NYC for them. They could not give me a time as they were waiting for Fed Ex. In the morning I get the call to come get the packet, drove 30 miles to the NJ location, and then back home, then caught public transportation into NYC for the interview. Arrived 10 minutes early. Was kept waiting a full hour. Then someone else came out to meet me, and we spoke for about 5 minutes. He left me in the conference room another 15 minutes, and then I was walked back to Mr. Nusbaum's office. The entire office was in disarray , piles of paperwork & folders everywhere. Mr. Nusbaum kept his door open for the entire interview, and often yelled out to people during the interview (on unrelated issues). I gave him the packet from NJ - he laughed, tossed it aside. No thanks for my time, mileage, etc. He told me about himself (mostly personal information), almost zero info on the company or position. He glanced at my resume, asked how much I made at my last job, and then said he would pay me more. Then he told me about his last assistant spreading personal gossip about him, that was his biggest concern, and I was asked the only real question of the "interview" was (in a loud and dramatic fashion a la Ari Gold) - CAN YOU SHUT THE F--- UP? Yelled it, inches from my face. This was apparently his way of asking if I was discreet.
I was told he would call & check my references, and if everything worked out, he would start me December 1.
Despite several follow ups, I did not hear back until mid-March. I got a call asking me to come into NYC one evening, they wanted me there the next morning at 10 am. They had moved to a new location in NYC by this time. I arrived a little early, and was told Mr. Nusbaum was running late. After an hour, they said he was still running late, but told me to come back to the office. I thought I was getting set up in a conference room or office. Instead, they began to teach me how to use the phone system, and then the girl who showed me gathered her stuff to leave. I asked - are you saying you want me to answer the phones? She said yes - I was going to probably be waiting a couple hours anyway. I told her I was not comfortable with that, that maybe I should reschedule. She stormed off, and then directed me to an office.
I then met with the company Comptroller. She spent about 45 minutes complaining about her job, telling me she was the only woman and they were all chauvinists and had her doing menial work until the assistant was hired since she was the only woman. She also told me to expect long hours (8 am - 7 pm, and some weekends) even though 'they will probably lie and say it is not long hours'. After 45 minutes of this, she said - well, to keep you occupied while you cover the phones (pardon?) you can read this - and she printed out what appeared to be highly confidential company information. She told me to pick it up off the printer, and then to sit at reception and grab the phones until Mr. Nusbaum arrived. I asked about what time that would be, she said probably by 3 pm.
And then....I left.
