My FB message in response to a job posting was ignored until after I sent an e-mail and already had an interview set-up with the same girl that posted the job.
I was asked to come prepared with 3 marketing ideas. We met at a Starbucks with no guidance of who to look for. I had to call and e-mail my interviewer to find her. She was wearing flannel and denim—fine; why was I not told to dress casual? No handshake or coffee was offered as she sipped on her latte.
She proceeded to go on a rant about how much she dislikes traffic in Denver and cannot stand people that move from out of state that are ruining her city. A response to me trying to find a place to live. Awkward!
My follow-up, thank you e-mail was met with an invite for a second interview with her and the owner. Same scenario: a coffee shop out of town, no coffee offered, no time to hang my coat, etc. The owner did not even get up from her seat or shake my hand! I was far overdressed in comparison to the denim jacket one of them wore. A girl directly next to me, in the cramped cafe, watched me through the entire process. At one point, the two women turned around in their seats to stare at a man having a conversation behind them as I was speaking—so rude!
They frantically wrote down my marketing ideas, as I had to come prepared with more. My proposition to ask questions was denied—too many interviews. I was sent on my way without so much as a "thank you" for my time or handshake.
I chalked the experience up to my interviewers simply lacking great social skills. So, I sent an e-mail thanking them for their time and asked that they keep me updated on the hiring process. To which—you guessed it—they ignored.
Since that point, I have witnessed them using at least 5 of my marketing ideas on the few occasions I check their pages. Wholeheartedly, I believe that they had zero intentions of hiring a Marketing Director. Instead, they want to invite people like me back for second interviews to steal ideas. In turn, I missed out on interviews for real jobs and possibly free coffee!
Here is a description of the interview process in summation: utterly unprofessional, unethical, and in poor taste.
It is unknown if this position was ever actually filled. I believe it was more a ploy to steal ideas without ever hiring and paying someone for them.