I applied through a staffing agency. I interviewed at MessageMedia (San Francisco, CA) in July 2019
Interview
I was represented by a staffing agency and had 2 initial phone screens. I made a point to ask about the interesting Glassdoor reviews I read about the HQ in Australia. He responded that he had read them and found it hilarious because he believed he knew who wrote them. Sounds like he is aware of the gender based harassment that is occuring.
In our second call we hashed out some things and set an on-site interview time. I was given an assignment of creating strategic plans for 8 different companies.
I arrived for my interview and talked with him through the different accounts from the homework assignment, and, at one point, when suggesting an option for a healthcare company targeting new parents for sending well baby information, he stopped me to ask if I had a child.
I spoke with another employee who had been there for a month – the other 5 people in the office were still in their first WEEK. They mentioned that there wasn’t a lot of work and there was a fair amount of down time.
At the end of our interview, he pressed me to find out where else I was interviewing. Stating that he “didn’t want to offer me the job if I wasn’t going to take it”. I mentioned that I had interviewed for a few positions and applied at many (making an exaggeration as to how many I applied for and not wanting to name actual companies). He responded with “stop being such a (derogatory term for a woman who has sex for money)”. When I shook my head no – in disbelief he pushed farther “a tech (derogatory term for a woman who has sex for money)?”, “ a (term for a woman who has many sexual partners)?”. I responded with no – none of those things. He tried to save himself by saying “yeah I called (a male coworker) a (derogatory term for a woman who has sex for money) last week, and he didn’t like it either”.
I politely wrapped up the interview. Before leaving, he made sure to bad mouth the staffing agency that had represented me, despite him having hired 2 people from them.
I am sorry about your negative experience when interviewing with us, this is not in line with the values and culture of MessageMedia. As discussed in July 2019, we took immediate action on the feedback you provided. If you would like to discuss further my number is +61 405581173. Kristie Healy, HR Manager