This has been THE worst interview experience that I have gone through in months of giving them out. The role was Python Dev. First round was initiated by the HR, Screening through my application/resume on Naukri and then reaching out for quick discussion around the role & the next steps in the interview. And before I go any further, let me tell you, I have never ever seen anything coming close to the way they handled the job posting to begin with The ad had literally three words in the description/requirements part. Specifically, they were "Python, GCP & Airflow.". I had applied because I wanted to know more about the intricate details of this role as I'm interested in Python programming, but I wasn't provided a detailed JD at any time in the interview process. When asked to the HR, I received a pretty generic feedback that they are looking for a guy who knows Python Programming and is having basic knowledge about GCP & Airflow. If not well versed in the other two, they're willing to train the candidate in it :( ridiculous
Anyways, once the date & time was finalized for meeting with the interviewing panel, a meeting invite was shared to me, but, on the day of the call, it was postponed by HR mentioning the interviewer isn't feeling well. I agreed for a next set of timelines, but then that call got pushed by a couple of days once again.
This was already quite surprising and mildly imitating, but then I finally got into the first interview discussion, during which I got to know about the background of the interviewer. They weren't from the field of work of a Python Dev. Instead they worked in the Big Data field and were asking me stuff that wasn't related to the job role that was interviewing for, but again, won't say it was their fault, the JD didn't even exist and there was nothing to go on here for the questions in the interview. I was asked questions from all over the different areas of SQL, Hadoop and other big data concepts.
After that weird phase was over they immediately moved my candidature onto the next round & that was the managerial round which for some strange reason went on for just 10 minutes of duration. It was getting even more frustrating to me because I wasn't being given a definitive answer by anyone who I interacted with during the whole process about what work will be given to deal with.
Lastly, the HR sent out a mail the next day and called me to notify me that they need all my documents right away and there would be a final HR discussion based on the docs which I will provide them. This happened so fast that I didn't get the chance to explore more and I myself was in a dire need of a job, so I went along and provided all my IDs & last pay slips, even my offer letter from 2018. There was one small request from my end on the call, that I wanted to join them and begin working 2 days later than they were asking me to get on boarded. The HR started getting defensive and raised all kinds of questions. I gave her the affirmation that I will be joining them, just need couple of days more as I had to take care of some things at my home. Then the call ended with her saying that all sounds perfect and this is done that I'll be joining them, but before that, there'd be another 15-20 minutes conversation with the client and once they approve, everything will move ahead.
I waited a day before following up with the HR for that final call with the client. Upon calling them the other day, I was given the feedback that my documents have been processed and moved ahead for approvals post which I'll be receiving the calendar invite. Couple of days went by and I called them again and got the same response and they asked to be patient and that they'd be getting it through for sure. Finally, it was the joining date that I had agreed with HR and on that day, she finally dropped the bomb on me. As I was anticipating, I got to hear the same set of words which has been making rounds in this industry to minimize the impact of the blow - "Your profile has been put on hold". I was left perfectly speechless it was a stalemate. But I was at a loss of words because they took all from me but didn't show a single drop of appreciation towards me & my efforts and cooperation. The HR kept on telling me that she doesn't want any surprises from my end, but instead did the same thing to me and went on in their life. There has been no notice of confidentiality about the sensitive info that I've shared with them over mail. There has been no confirmation if they on boarded another candidate and they've stopped looking for that job position now. I, till this moment, don't even understand how a company this big, has no method of drafting out a detailed list of work responsibilities under the Job Description when they're hiring. And to top it all off, the folks working with that firm aren't even bothered about even trying to think of making this process more efficient and effective.