I submitted an application and resume on one of the job boards online. A day or two after submitting my information I was contacted by the HR person (Lori) to set up an interview. She was very flexible with setting up a time and day as I am still currently employed. She worked around it and seemed to be very straight forward with information and details.
Got there (Avenel) for the interview about 10 or 15 minutes early and mentioned to the kind lady behind the counter who I was and that Lori was expecting me. She asked me to get started on filling out a standard employment application which took me about 10-15 minutes so by the time I finished I was a bit past the interview time. Lori didn't seem bothered by it and asked me a few questions and set up one on one meetings with two different managers, I forget their exact roles one was operations overseeing the department I was interviewing for and the other was what seemed to be a higher up position in the company. I live about 15 minutes from the position's location and was VERY eager to get my foot in the door at a new career and they were offering a much better deal than my current situation. I also emphasized how excited and eager I was to start if hired.
Basic interview questions asking me what I knew about Vantage Apparel and why I wanted to leave my current employment, skills, and experience from work and education that were relevant for the position I interviewed. I have background in customer service, I worked at the same food franchise for 9 years, starting at 15 and worked throughout college (I commuted to Kean). Being promoted and given raises on occasions. I also had mentioned specific examples that at my current employment that I improved the process of things, dealt with dissatisfied customers and basic relations and PR. I was also an assistant in real estate and my background in education was a BA in Psychology and classes relating to business/motivation/management.
All the interviewers seemed very friendly and engaged. I was under the impression that I was doing all the right things, answering their questions adequately, though I admit, was somewhat nervous, nothing major, just a little jittery like anyone gets before meeting new people or giving a speech or obviously applying and interviewing for a job you really want and don't want to blow a first impression.
Towards the end, they mentioned that they were nearing the end of their hiring process and were starting people in the training session at the tend of the month ( I was told they had one person committed to starting at the end of the month and need to fill 4 more positions). This sounded like good news for my situation. I was informed that I would be contacted the following with decision. I thanked them and shook hands. I send out a personalized thank you note to 2 of the 3 interviewers ( I didn't have the contact information for the 3rd).
The following week comes and goes with tenuous trepidation, anticipating a call at any day or time with good news for me. Unfortunately it never came and I called exactly a week after the interview in the afternoon to which the receptionist informed me that Lori had left for the day but that I could leave a voice mail if I'd like which I did. I reiterated my interest in the position but reluctantly admitted that since I hadn't heard anything at this point that I was passed on. Which is fine, I'm used to rejection at this point in my job hunt but reminded her that I was told I would be contacted either way and asked for professional constructive criticism while acknowledging that that I know their is no incentive for them to even give me the curtsey but inquired anyone as a professional if she had the time.
My complaint is mainly that I was led on during the interview and that I would be contacted regardless of their decision being a positive or negative for me. I cancelled other appointments I had thinking I would be hired here. My mistake for getting over eager and anxious.