I had applied for the position via Indeed. A local temp agency contacted me as they were recruiting and screening applicants for the company.
I went for an interview with two managers and it went well. They asked standard questions and gave an in-depth history of the company. I was then told they require a two day working interview before they would offer me the position. The position would be contract to hire but they wanted to ensure the person filling the role understood the concept and the tasks.
One of the hiring managers would be going on vacation so I was scheduled after her return for the working interview. Then I was rescheduled twice due to IT issues and a last minute out of town conference.
When I finally was able to complete the two day interview, nearly three weeks after the first interview, I received excellent feedback and the supervisor made statements about how she would have me working on XYZ projects in the future once I’ve been trained more on the systems.
I left the working interview on the second day feeling very confident I would be offered the position.
However, I was told by the temp agency the following day that I was not a good fit and the offer for the position was off the table for me. I was surprised and confused and asked for additional feedback but I did not receive any.
I thought the other employees there were very friendly, laid back, and knowledgeable. The immediate supervisor (the one “training” me) was extremely kind and easy to get along with. I felt very badly she completed all that intensive training with me only for the other manager to decide I wasn’t going to work out.
One issue I had was that the majority of their contracts are with one cell company. Maybe I’m just a bit hyperaware after recently having been laid off from a major company due to financial downsizing and restructuring but this was concerning. It seems like they’d want to be more diverse but perhaps they’re looking into that.
Regardless, it seems as if they could do away with the working interview process since they’re just going to train you anyway. Also, I felt like my true skills aren’t being really tested in just two days where I’m mostly shadowing another employee. But if you are going to force people into a working interview, don’t insinuate they will be offered the job by saying they’re going to work on future projects, etc. I know the supervisor who worked with me did not mean any harm by it but it’s just something to consider for next time someone is going through this process.