If They Treat You Poorly as a Candidate, Do You Really Want to Work There?

I'm going to tell you the story of how NOT to treat people. In my 22 years owning an executive recruiting company, I have never had a candidate treated this way. This should be an HR case study. The intent is not to call out the company. Admire and respect the CEO. The purpose of this post is to say, "You will never hire quality executives if you treat them this way."

I submitted a VP level candidate, and the first two phone interviews were positive. They invited him for a property visit, which required travel. He received his airline ticket. All good!

My candidate arrives at the destination airport and the trouble begins. I'll let him explain, "Arrived. I had to send two follow-up emails to the hiring company regarding my schedule for the day as I wasn’t sent any information. I finally received it last night. Surprised I had to find my own way from the airport to the hiring company. I don’t know this city but caught the airport bus. When I arrived, human resources advised me to walk around a bit and get a bite to eat. He would come get me in four hours."

You can't make this stuff up! I'll let the candidate tell you how the story ends.

"After spending four hours walking around, I met with Bob and Andy. Interview went well. HR sat me down and said someone would collect me for my next interview with the CEO. About 45 minutes later I got a call from the PA of the CEO asking where I am...because I'm late for the interview. Explained that I had been left in a meeting room and told to wait. Eventually, the PA found me and had a very brief conversation with CEO. I was taken to another meeting room where I interviewed with two more executives. Again, good interviews.

By this time, it was 4:30 pm and my flight is at 6:30 pm. HR rep takes me downstairs and points to the exit where the taxis are. As I am driving away watching the taxi meter roll faster than a hamster on an exercise wheel, I didn't have a good feeling inside. I spent $180 of my own money on transportation to and from the airport, along with a McDonalds cheeseburger. It’s not about the $180. I will go into a golf shop and spend more than that on golf equipment, but I was invited by this company to interview. I didn't expect to be reaching into my wallet all the time. Provided water in the meetings and was casually offered tea or coffee. That was the end to their hospitality. Don't believe this is the right company for me."

The hiring company missed out on one of the best executives on the planet.

I fired the hiring company as a client. Not all business is good business.