In late November 2009, I applied for a Relationship Manager position in Burien. As a former branch manager for Key, I had a RM working for me and knew the job fairly well. I felt the position was one that would fit better for me as I am very involved in outside youth community service, coaching and volunteer work. Someone else must have thought so as well. On December 10, 2009, I received a phone call from the Burien Branch Manager asking me to come in for an interview. Due to scheduling issues with the upcoming holidays, the interview was scheduled for December 29, 2009. The holiday scheduling is something I perfectly understand. On December 28, 2009, I received a voice mail and an e-mail indicating that my interview had been cancelled as Key Human Resources was taking on my file and would be in contact. On January 6, 2010, I received a call from a Key recruiter out of the Portland, Oregon area. After a brief visit, we scheduled amore formal phone interview for that afternoon. Having “passed” the phone interview, we discussed an in-person Branch Managers’ interview taking place in Bellevue on the afternoon of January 8, 2010. I was sent the access codes and completed the psychological test on January 7, 2010. On January 8, 2010, I had an pleasant group interview with three area/district managers. We discussed potential branch manager positions close to my residence. We explored my outside activities – something I was totally up front with in all my contacts with Key Bank. In fact, everything I’m involved in is in my cover letter. After chatting, it was indicated that the decision would be made in a couple of weeks. Until yesterday, I had not heard a word from Key Bank. I have been monitoring my status on the career website. As I logged in today, all my current information regarding this application is gone. Surprised, I called the only contact I have for Key, the recruiter. Through her I found that I am no longer a candidate for a branch manager position in this area. When I pressed her for a reason, she was vague but mentioned some notes alluding to my outside activities which may have been interpreted as taking any from my ability to perform the duties of a branch manager. It isn’t that I’m upset I didn’t get a job. Disappointed, but not upset. But what bothers me most is that I applied and was contacted two months ago for a position I felt was the best for me at Key. Had I gone to that interview in December, I feel I would have either gotten the relationship manager job or been told my outside activities would have precluded me from working at Key. Instead, someone in the bank decided to interview me for a position I specifically had not applied for and then deemed me as unable to perform the job. 60 days after their first contact with me I find out and only after I initiate a call. Wow - that just seems like a very long time to make a hiring decision. I feel sorry for the recruiter who is new to the bank. She said “someone” should have called you. I find it coincidental that all Key’s computer records of this incident have vanished suddenly. When I worked for Key, I had a personal financial situation that required me to leave and take a higher paying position. I felt terrible leaving Key and until today, I regretted my decision to do so every day for the last four years. Thanks to this incident, I will no longer have that regret to bother me.

Panel interview consisting almost exclusively of situational interview questions. For example, “Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge, and what was the end result.” They ask follow up questions, too.