This is about the screening and recruitment process for this firm, which came across as flaky and unprofessional. I had an initial screening interview with the recruiter by phone.
I am a full-time, established professional who responded to an announcement for a limited contract position (1-2 days per month) through IMA. I viewed it as an opportunity to do a small amount of additional work outside my full-time position. I heard nothing for almost 3 months and had forgotten that I even submitted my resume.
Then out of the blue, a recruiter for IMA called to ask me if I was still interested. When I was able to speak to the IMA recruiter, he asked a few questions and I had the opportunity to ask some questions. Several things were apparent: First, he knew few details about the job itself and was not able to refer me to someone who could provide better specifics about the role. Second, the company seems disorganized, as he struggled to figure out who would be available to interview me. Lastly, he cited some compensation numbers that were low and didn't make much sense, but then stated there could be some negotiation of rates for an experienced person such as myself. The recruiter then did set me up with an interview with an Operations Manager for a few days later. He also promised to send additional information with specifics about the role (example: types of assessments performed and rates per service).
However, no email with a link for the interview came in by close of business, even when the weekend hit and the interview was scheduled for a Monday. I wrote the recruiter to ask about the interview video call link and I also reminded him about the promised additional information about the duties and compensation. During the weekend, the recruiter emailed to apologize for the delayed follow-up and stated that the Operations Manager could not interview me as originally planned, as she would be traveling during that week. More surprisingly, he stated that he was waiting to hear about another provider who is "in credentialing for the position," but that he would update me when he knew more.
So what can I conclude? Well, beyond the overall lack of professionalism (recruiter can't give specifics about compensation and doesn't understand the particular job he is recruiting for): 1) This firm pays somewhere in the range of very low to mediocre, relative to the usual and customary rates for licensed psychologists performing assessments. 2) The company already had someone in line to fill the position, but obviously had enough doubts about that person that they began contacting other possible candidates as backups (i.e., wasting my time in a deceptive manner), 3) My attempts to clarify the compensation probably led them to conclude: This guy is too experienced and is paid at at a level that he is probably not going to want to work for what we pay (It might be accurate but at least have the conversation if you are actually interested in hiring experienced, competent professionals).
Knowing more than a bit about the world of contract psychological assessments for state disability evaluations, VA Comp and Pension, and similar situations, there are a lot of firms that make their money by giving crappy pay to marginal providers and doing high volume. My overall experience suggests that this company falls into that basket. If my limited experience in the recruitment phase is typical, IMA needs to vastly rethink their recruitment, compensation, and retention strategies and procedures.
