Pre Employment Screening
The initial pre-employment screening consisted of a telephone conversation with an HR recruiter employed by the hiring company. The interview lasted approximately 45 minutes and consisted of a variety of questions. Questions and information covered included multiple topics such as current employer, current job duties, future goals, why/if I desired to leave the current employer, a description of the position for which I was interviewed, how I believed that my experience, skills, education, and future aspirations fit within that description, if I would consider relocation, to what areas I would like to relocate, and those that I didn't. Also included in the initial pre-screening were topics such as HD Supply's hiring practices, a background on the business overall and the specific line of business for which I was being interviewed, and general information along those lines. Management styles under which I was comfortable working were also discussed in depth.
At no time did I feel pressured, and I was assured that there were no correct or incorrect answers or responses to the topics discussed. Throughout the entire conversation, the HR Recruiter I was speaking with attempted to gather if, in his mind, I would fit well into the company culture. I was made to understand that a "culture fit" was paramount in the applicant to whom an offer of employment was made. I was informed that the position had been open for a long while and though other candidates had been interviewed, none seemed to have the experience, product knowledge, attitude, and also fit well into the established company culture.
Approximately two hours after I was pre-screened, the same recruiter called back and said that he would like to set up an interview with the hiring manager. I was informed that this would be another telephone interview as it was more convenient due to the hiring manager traveling more often than not. Due to the hiring managers travels, he would be available three days from the initial contact.
First Interview
The first interview was long and it didn't help that I was nervous. The interviewing manager introduced himself and told me his position in the company. He described what his responsibilities included and then asked if I had any questions regarding the position for which I was being interviewed. I told him that the HR recruiter that I had spoken with had answered all of the questions that I had thought of at that point. He was very casual and truthfully, the interview really didn't feel much like an interview. It was more like two friends chatting.
We briefly discussed my current job, duties, experience, anything I had done in my current position which may be considered outside of my "scope" of duties. I told him that I had designed and distributed various tools to assist others in the same position I was in. The tools I told him were to increase the efficiency and ease of use of the current company’s inventory system. He seemed to like the fact that I had taken it upon myself to make these enhanced tools which provided an array of information for others to use.
He and I also talked about what I would like to do in the future; all conversation was still very casual. He questioned me about the style of management under which I was comfortable working, the same question the initial screening person had asked me about. We ran a high level overview of my experience and education.
After asking my questions and receiving answers, he thanked me for my time and told me that the recruiter would be in touch.
Second Interview
The recruiter called shortly after my first interview and told me that the hiring manager had requested that I come in to the office for another interview. I agreed and set up a time about a week from that date.
The second interview seemed like a panel interview and again, I was nervous. I was introduced to the manager with whom I had spoken on the previous interview and to the VP of sales for the region. Both were extremely friendly and open about the company and all of the duties of the position. The materials covered here were essentially the same as had previously been discussed, but slightly more in depth.
Third Interview
Three days later, I was contacted again by the recruiter and told that he would like to set up a third interview. On the day of the interview, I showed up about ten minutes early and waited in the front office as the receptionist informed the managers that I was waiting.
This interview was over lunch with the previous two managers that had interviewed me. They mainly just listened while the new manager asked routine questions and provided a more in-depth description of the position.
