First call was with hiring manager, and surprisingly not HR. The phone interview went very well. I waited a week or so and then asked for feedback. I was told to wait another week or so since the hiring manager had internal matters he was still working on and needed time. I followed up again about a week later asking for a status since I was actively interviewing with other companies and those were advancing (which was true). The next day I received a reply saying that HR was putting together a formal offer and I would hear something shortly. This was a pleasant surprise since I had not met with anyone face to face, or spoken to HR, and they were already telling me I would receive an offer! Wow! Then I received a voicemail from an HR representative saying as soon as they received my filled-out application they could release the offer. I completed the application and then sent it to HR. I had a phone call with HR the next day. This is where it gets strange.
I spoke to HR. I was told the salary amount, which admittedly was about 10% higher than I expected, and was asked to accept right there. The representative did not talk about the virtues of the company, the benefits, working environment, pay structure, nothing. I had to ask for every bit of information and she was clearly annoyed that I was taking up her time asking these questions. What kind of health insurance coverage is offered? How much does it cost? Is there a bonus opportunity? What about vacation? Flexible spending accounts? No one had ever gone over any of that with me, ever. Every time I asked a question I got a very short, curt answer, like she had more important things to do. Never in my life have I ever been treated this way. I was stunned. She pressured me to accept right there, on the phone. I felt like I was buying a car! "Do you accept? Do you accept?" I hadn’t even been given a written offer. I inquired again about the written offer. I was told they would write it up, get it reviewed, approved, and send it only after I accepted. What?! That is not what I was told previously. I have never experienced this before in all of my years in corporate America. This phone call was on a Friday.
The following Monday I received an email from the hiring manager informing me that, regrettably, they did not have a position for me. What?! He would be in touch with me shortly since he was travelling and away from home. I never heard from him or HR again. Looks like no job after all.
About 2 weeks after that I received a phone call from someone saying he worked for UST Global and referred to the HR person I spoke to by name. He asked if I was still available. I said yes, and he said they now had a position open, wanted to move forward, and someone would reach out to me. I called the HR rep and left a message saying I had been contacted by this unknown person. I never heard back from him, the HR rep, or the hiring manager again.
While on the phone with the HR rep I saw the red flags, warning signs of a bad situation. I had read other postings about how unhappy people are at this UST Global. Now I am beginning to understand why.
Is this the kind of organization you want to work for? I don't. Run away!
