I was told via email that we would be having an initial interview phone call for around 10-15 minutes.
"I would like to schedule a phone call with you to further discuss your qualifications for the position."
Confirmed a time and then received a Google Meeting invite with a dial in number. Normal scheduling process.
I connected to the Google Meeting and was asked if I would be turning on the video. I responded saying that I have a lot of action behind me going on so would prefer audio for now. I am going through a medical situation that I don't feel comfortable sharing and prepared for a phone call/audio discussion, not a video call, nor was I told video call. It was very clearly stated "I would like to schedule a phone call".
The interviewer refused to continue unless video was turned on. I asked one more time, "is there anything preventing the initial interview call from happening with just audio?" Interviewer still refused citing that this is how clients would be contacted so it's expected.
In fairness, I did not mention my medical situation (because it is not his business and he stated it would be a phone call) and he did try to re-schedule for "a more convenient time for me" to conduct a video call but this experience rubbed me the wrong way. Literally could have conducted the initial interview phone call as stated in emails vs putting me on the spot. It is an initial interview for 10-15 minutes....
Got bad vibes that this would be a position of extreme micro-management. Appears like management their are inflexible and incapable of owning their own mistake.
Advice to management:
Don't state you want an initial interview PHONE CALL if you want it to be a video call. Be clear in communication and own the mistake on your end vs putting the interviewee on the spot.