The most unprofessional interview process ever.
This is the first review I've ever posted on Glassdoor, but I felt compelled to do so as the experience was so ridiculous. If you look at other interview reviews, you'll notice some recurring themes.
I applied for a position online. A few days later I received an email from an internal company recruiter setting up a Zoom interview for 9:00pm at night the next day. I found the time to be strange, but hey, these are strange times, so I accept.
The recruiter arrives to the call 5 minutes late, no apology, and doesn't acknowledge that 9:00pm at night is an odd time for an interview. She doesn't introduce herself, provides no background about the role or the company simply says in a bored tone of voice "let's jump right in - tell me about your previous experience". I run through my background, with no feedback. I stop and say - "please let me know if you'd like me to delve deeper on any of this experience or a particular role" - again no feedback.
Next question - "so, how do you like our ads?" She then asks if I have any questions for her. Since she hasn't provided any information about the job, the company, or her own experience with TikTok - of course I do. I ask standard questions and every answer is brief and rudely delivered. She seems distracted and in a rush to get off the phone. OK.
She then says that she thinks I'm a great fit for the role (interesting) and says that she's going to set up an interview with the hiring manager who is based in NY (she now says that she's currently working from Taiwan, which explained the time difference). She also says that the hiring manager will be better equipped to answer my questions.
I left the call wondering what had just happened. Getting to the next round is great, so in that respect the interview was a success - but it was the rudest experience I've ever had with a company recruiter. I left the call with the same amount of information about the role that I had going into it, but now with serious reservations about the company.
Two days later I receive an email at 6am letting me know that I'm scheduled for a Zoom interview that same day at 4pm - better than 9:00pm at night, but still a little weird for a company to set up a same day interview.
The interview with the hiring manager is equally ridiculous. Keep in mind, this is someone in client services - so you'd think that the person leading this team would be somewhat personable or at a minimum, professional.
When we connect on Zoom, the hiring manager does not introduce herself or even say hello. Again, it's an immediate "Tell me about your previous experience and why you'd be a fit for this role" - in the first two seconds of being connected.
For someone who is in a client services role to interview a potential hire (already "vetted" in an initial screen) and not introduce themselves is beyond strange. I'm assuming it may be an interview tactic employed by the company to see how people react, but what its really telling you is that this is either a company that uses mind games as part of its recruitment process - or - has total sociopaths working for them. Honestly, think about it for a second - have you ever been on an interview where someone would walk in the room or hop on a Zoom and not introduce themselves? Perhaps smile and say "Hi, my name is XXXX, nice to meet you?" Y'know, act like you've met another human being before.
Trying to get information out of her about the team, the company and her experience there is like pulling teeth. I cannot stress enough how unengaged this person is - it's like talking to a wall. Keep in mind, this is a company that chose to interview me, twice. Aside from the rude vibe, the interview goes relatively smooth - I felt that I answered each question posed to me pretty well.
Two days later I receive an automated email stating that TikTok will not be moving forward with me as a candidate. I feel incredibly relieved.
Key Takeaways for interviewees:
- Expect a hostile experience. The interviewers will not be forthcoming with details and do not use standard professional courtesies.
- Expect the interviewers to not introduce themselves. They quickly will say - Let's jump right in, tell me about your experience and why you're a fit for the role.
- Be prepared to speak for a few minutes with minimal interaction from the interviewer.
Key Takeaways for TikTok.
- You must make some HR changes. An interview is a two-way street. I went into each interview excited about potentially working at the company. I left each interview seriously questioning if there was any amount of money that would make me accept a position at TikTok.
