I knew someone that worked for progressive, they requested an email with my contact information detailing my work experience with an emphasis on customer service and working with the customer. Pretty shortly after I sent the email I got an email from progressive hiring with instructions for applying with the referral. Within a week of filling out my profile and putting in an application I got an email requesting that I complete a test to make sure I'm a good fit. I answered honestly and after finishing was prompted for a phone interview the next day. The website provides detailed information on answering the interview questions properly so I came up with a few of the stories that I wanted to highlight during the interview which helped a lot. At the end of the phone call I was asked to schedule an on-site interview. Once we scheduled it they sent me an email reminder and directions to the building as well as a request for a background check and details on approving it. For the on site interview, I went to the building, checked in and got a temporary badge. Another candidate appeared and we waited together, then one of the interviewers appeared and walked us to the floor where we listened in on calls for about a half hour and got to ask questions to the employee and get a taste for the customers. We found out one of the interviewers we were meeting with was out, but they had someone come in to conduct the interview. We were brought to separate conference rooms, offered waters and interviewed one on one with the first interviewer and then with the second. The same formatting for the phone interviews was used and the interviewers made extensive notes about what was said. The interviewers were extremely pleasant and enthusiastic about the company. After all the questions were answered we just made pleasant conversation and I was shown back to the desk to turn in the temporary badge. I got an email the week of the interview telling me to be expecting a call after the weekend was over, and I got the call that monday afternoon explaining the offer. Overall, I was kept extremely informed during the process with both phone calls and emails. The hiring department was exceptionally accommodating and kind. The process was difficult and extensive, but that is reassuring to me because it shows that they are hiring for quality. I asked detailed questions about the quality of the work environment to all three interviewers and the interviewers had no problem promoting the company to me in a personal way. The background check was the most irritating part of the process. I would suggest finding paystubs, W-2's or other tax documents and confirming dates before submitting an application. Keep them handy because the company that does the background check requested scanned copies of these from me more than once.

I submitted my application and then got invited to complete a HireVue interview. It was about eight questions, all requiring STAR style responses. After I finished the interview, I received a rejection email. I honestly hate when companies play in people’s faces like this. What was the point of making me do an online interview if you already decided based on my resume? If you weren’t interested from the start, just say that. I have very little respect for companies that reject people through recorded online interviews, without ever allowing them to speak to a real person. It feels less like recruiting and more like a way to collect personal data our voices, our faces, without any real intention of moving forward.