Why are companies seeking staff so unprofessional?

I was recently contacted by a recruitment company looking for IT consultants in the field I used to specialise in when I did IT contract work. I stepped away from this in 2017, to concentrate fully on my music related business, but the last couple of years have put a massive strain on my business and whilst I am not actively seeking work, I had decided that if a suitable opportunity came along, I would consider it. I didn't really do very much about this, however last month I was contacted by a recruitment agency, who had seen my Linkedin profile and found a match on a couple of key words from a brief they had. 

They asked me if I was interested and I said I was. The position was a good fit and an interview was soon fixed up. I was told this would be a technical interview, to ascertain whether my skill set was appropriate. in my former life as an IT consultant, I had participated in many interviews, usually as a technical specialist trying to ascertain the elegibility of candidates. One of the key things I always remembered when interviewing prospective candidates was that they were also interviewing me. If we wanted them, it was because we perceived that they had a positive contribution to our organisation. The area I worked in was fairly niche and generally if you didn't know the candidate, you'd know someone they knew.

I was informed that I'd be interviewed by the client on a TEAMS chat. I'd never had such an interview before, but the world moves on. I've been on hundreds of such meetings over the years, so this didn't really surprise or spook me. At the appointed time the meeting started. There were two people from the client. We said hello, then they stopped their video feed, so I couldn't see them. They proceeded to ask me some of the most ridiculous questions I've ever heard. As I tried to answer them, I thought to myself "If I was with someone and they were asking a candidate these sort of things, I'd be embarrassed". One question was along the lines of "If you were to do this (a very stupid thing, which you need to understand the technology to understand), what would happen". My response was that, as I had made a career not doing such stupid things, I had no idea, but it would clearly have a very bad effect". I realised that perhaps they were asking because one of their staff had done this. Wherever I've worked, we set up processes that ensured such stupid things weren't done. I added this comment. They persisted "Ah yes, but if you did do this, what would happen". It is like asking someone "If you are driving on the motorway and you decided to shut your eyes and count to 30 before you open them, what will happen?". All manner of things may happen, but any sane person wouldn't do it. After each answer, the interviewers muted their microphone, for a fairly lengthy period, clearly having a discussion, although as I couldn't see their faces, I had no idea of what was going on. I felt this to be extremely rude. 

After about 30 minutes, I was told that the interview was over. I was less than impressed. An hour later, the agent who'd contacted me called back. He asked how I thought it went. I told him that I had no idea really and I thought some of the questions were rather stupid. I assumed that this was the end of the matter. A week later, I got another call. The client wanted a second interview. Given my irritation with the first interview, I stated that I'd only do it if it was not with the same two interviewers. I was pleased to be informed that it would not be. I was reassured that someone sensible would be participating. A new interview was scheduled and so once again, I found myself on a Teams call. To my annoyance, it was the same two chaps that I'd spoken to previously. There was no 'sensible' person on the call. The same pattern of no video call and muted conversations, to discuss my answers to the banal questions. 

After another 30 minutes, where I was getting increasingly exasperated, the interview finished. That was a couple of weeks ago. I've heard nothing since, despite the agent promising me "full feedback". By the end of the second interview, I'd decided that if I had to work with the people who interviewed me, it would be a nightmare and I really didn't want the job.  I was hoping that the agent would call, so I could give my feedback to them. I am in the lucky position that I don't desperately need the job. It would have just enabled me to tie up a few financial loose ends and move my other plans forward. 

But the point for me that really needed making was just how unprofessional the whole process was. I've spoken to friends who have been through the same process recently, on both sides of the process and it is pretty clear that there is a lack of professionalism in how some companies and agencies are doing their business. If you run a company and you are conducting interviews, here are a few pointers for what I believe are the minimum standards.

1. If you are using teams, ensure that videos are used, so people can see each other. Only mute microphones if there are background noise issues. If there are only 2-3 people on the call this should be unnecessary.

2. Ensure that people conducting interviews are competent. If suitable technical resources cannot be secured, then do not simply get people to google a few questions, when interviewing highly specialised staff.

3. Provide feedback from interviews, it is a common courtesy if people give up their time.

4. If candidates are unsuccessful, inform them ASAP so they can look elsewhere.

5. If candidates express concerns about the process, take these on board. Do not simply make them endure the same thing again.

What was perhaps the most frustrating aspect of the whole process was the fact that it was pretty clear to me that the people I was being interviewed by were people who had little clue about the actual job they were interviewing someone for. They couldn't answer my questions and were unable to have what I consider to be the usual dialog that one would expect when being interviewed for a highly specialised role. Given certain events that have since transpired, I am rather glad that I didn't get selected, but if anyone from those involved in the process see this, I hope they take these comments on board. It is extremely unlikely that myself or any of the people I know would entertain dealing with them, given my experience.