A face-to-face interview was scheduled, and I arrived promptly but was made to wait for 30 minutes before the interview commenced. While the initial conversation began positively, the atmosphere shifted abruptly when the interviewer asked about my current and expected compensation.
The interviewer suddenly mentioned that he had agreed to the meeting based on my resume's recommendation from a recruitment agency, without confirming if there was a suitable position available. This revelation, midway through the interview, felt somewhat disconcerting, especially after traveling all the way and waiting patiently.
Furthermore, during the discussion of my projects, there were instances of peculiar behavior, such as the interviewer pausing abruptly and staring at the ceiling for an extended period, which created an uncomfortable atmosphere. Additionally, the interviewer's critique of my work as lacking in ideation, followed by a showcase of very similar projects from their portfolio which he believed had ideation, added to the confusion. In my personal view, every creative work inherently begins with an idea, and it felt rather discourteous for the interviewer to imply otherwise.
Ultimately, the interviewer requested more samples of my work to determine potential placement, but by then, it was evident that the interview process lacked direction and clarity.
For prospective candidates considering interviews at this organization, I would recommend ensuring clarity regarding the interview process beforehand. It may be prudent to request a virtual round or a preliminary phone call to establish mutual expectations, thus preventing potential time wastage and avoiding similar experiences.