After applying online I was contacted by their local HR representative. The phone call was short and simple and was only asked about my availability as well as a reaffirmation about the position still being open. I made my availability open to the the company's needs and an in person, on campus interview was scheduled for three weeks later at 8am on a Friday. After braving Los Angeles rush hour traffic for nearly two hours I arrived 15 minutes early and was warmly greeted by the receptionist. She invited me to take a seat in the reception area or in the near by waiting room. After waiting for over an hour she asked me to come back to her desk and told me that I could go home, but asked if I had received a confirmation email about the interview. Confused, I said that the only contact I had was that initial phone call and asked if there was a problem. The only explanation given was that there must have been an communication error between the head of HR (the lady I spoke with) and one of her assistants and that she was in a meeting. I said that I was already there and would happily to wait longer till she was available. I'm a verteran, I know better than to take the first option offered to me or to just pack up and leave. Apparently she had meetings all day. Before I left I asked if I could have a direct number or email to the lady I spoke with, information that they do not pass out and I had to go through the reception desk, understandable. There was no follow up after the failed interview by anyone with StandardAero. Over the next couple weeks I made numerous attempts to reach HR and in each case I was only met with a receptionist, then voice mail. I asked the receptionist if she was even available and told me that she has ALL calls go straight to voice-mail. When I asked if I could speak with one of her assistants I was told there was no one else and that she represented all of HR for that location. There was never any follow up, answered call, returned phone call or any other semblance of contact or professionalism. --It's worth noting that the position remained open on their site for several months following all this.
The receptionist I met was warm and kind, though she seemed confused and unsure as if she was being asked to do someone else dirty laundry, which clearly she was. She had no useful information to give, not that she would have it's not her job, and didn't seem to know what to say with any confidence other than I couldn't have a direct number or email.
The HR lady I spoke with was also warm and kinda, for the two minutes we spoke on the phone. She even sounded very enthused and eager to meet me, however, her professionalism, respect and consideration were sub-par in the end. Maybe I just fell through the cracks, maybe she was over worked or it was poor timing, I'm willing to give her that. The fact that she wouldn't even come to the front when I was there, call me or send me an email to tell me there was a mistake and we needed to reschedule, or that they no longer were considering my candidacy and had the receptionist do it and ignoring me speaks volumes and was truly appalling. I have no resentment from the experience, but it is extraordinarily disappointing especially considering how excited and motivated I was for the job being near planes and on a flight line again. Shame...
