I've wanted to work at Deloitte's Financial Advisory Services for a few years now. I've gotten in touch with fellow alumni who work there, applied to all the job which description match my skills, had informal phone interviews, and so on.
A few weeks ago, tada! I get a phone call saying that my resume popped up and they're interested in having me interview. Yay!
I went through a phone screening, a first round of interviews, and a second round of interviews on Friday.
Phone call came a little later on Friday from HR: "Thank you, but No Thank you!". I am told that my SQL Server and VB skills are not solid enough. Ok, so I don't use SQL Server, I use Oracle. I don't use VB, I use Java, Javascript, ASP and PHP. They're not the same, but once you know a programming language or a DBMS, it's just a mater of adjusting. So yeah, I'm a little pissed because I think the guy's explaination holds no water!
I still emailed him and thanked him for his time, blah, blah, blah... I also added that I was very motivated and wanted to know what I could/where I could go to improve these 2 skills. That's how much I wanted this job. If he told me to jump of a bridge to get it, I would. I also called him at the end of the day (we're still Friday at that point).
Well... I don't know what happened. He must have though I was harassing him because I got a phone call this morning from the same person at HR I had been speaking with. She leaves me a voicemail telling me that they will not follow up with my candidacy (I knew that already) "be it now or in the future"... WHAT (???). She tells me verbatim: "You can continue to look at our site, and apply for positions, but other than [in that group], but I don't want you to keep reaching out to [that guy]."
What is this all about??? Basically she's telling me that I could become a SQL Server and VB expert, they would not consider me. What did I ever do to that guy?? So that's the part I am fuming about.
Am I overreacting here or should I feel that enraged?
Job interview... didn't go so well
April 3rd, 2007 at 02:13 pm
April 4th, 2007 at 08:45 am
I think they have old(er) ppl working in thier technical field who only know one programming language and know all the syntax by heart!!!
I mean syntax is not important!! What matters is how you can apply your logic etc.
April 4th, 2007 at 09:17 am
April 7th, 2007 at 05:48 pm
It sounds like the original thought was that your interview panel figured wouldn't be as good a fit personally with the group/boss you'll be working with as their pick but wanted to let you off gently by using the differences at hand. Your eagerness got misinterpreted as desperation/pressing too hard and they used their HR department to press back.
Remember, they don't have to hire you. Even if you were perfect in every way, hiring you is a choice.
If you have a friend close to the situation on the inside, you might want to ask - quietly, after a month - whether that's the case. And you'll have to let things cool down for at least a year - give the original panel time to forget you.
April 7th, 2007 at 05:58 pm
I keep an eye on openings, but will not apply for a while. I have what can only be described as barely an acquaintance there. He is an alumni from my university and I had contacted him a while ago to get more information on his job. I'm not sure I could talk to him about this.
April 7th, 2007 at 06:40 pm
I think your big take home message is that hiring is a high-touch, human, almost political (boy, that's a little strong!) process. Interviews are often a dance of the seven veils - show 'em good stuff but not too much. And that works for the interview panel too.
Sometimes the most qualified person gets the job, but more often its the qualified/like the person/fits the personality of the team/ person gets it. But you know that already.
Good luck with your job search and your interviews - don't be afraid to show your personality. It could be that Deloitte not giving you the nod is a blessing in disguise.