Complaint Review: American Products Inc. (API) - Tampa Florida

This company goes beyond the level of ordinary rudeness practiced by quite a few employers today. Yes as a  job seeker I responded to an advertisement, went to the "interview" and followed up with a thank-you note. Then nothing. Pretty typical in this job market. Unfortunately. after going through the process with American Products I felt violated and truly taken advantage of.

I received a phone call with an invitation to come in and plan for several hours of form filling out and test taking and PERHAPS a brief interview. I tried to schedule late in the day so I would not miss much work but they were very rigid as to hours and their request necesitated a half day off work using my PTO to accomodate their specific demands. They were vague and said they would email me and from that email I should have known to pass the opportunity by. I will paste some of it below.

You may park in the grass/gravel lot next to the paved lot (Do Not park in the paved area or under the tent).  Street parking is also allowed if necessary.

SOFTWARE AND OTHER SKILLS ASSESSMENT PROCESS: 
 
This process consists of completing the following (you can complete this process over several days if necessary please email or call if you would like to do so):
1.      Both an application and written interview questions (allow approx. 30 minutes)
2.      Computer and other assessments related to the position (s) API is considering you for (allow approx. 1   -  3 hours you can take assessments over several days if necessary)
3.      Possible in-person interview (allow approx. 20 minutes)
(Note: Please arrive at the time indicated above on this confirmation; you do not need to arrive early to complete the paperwork.)
WHAT TO BRING TO THE INTERVIEW:  
 
Please arrive prepared with the following items:Updated contact information for at least four (4) business references who are or were direct supervisors and/or managers at prior companies you worked for.
Two extra copies of your resume.
3.      Any reference letters you may have.
4.      Any samples of work you would like to show us.

The worst part is the so called paperwork was a repeat of your resume plus some lame personality questions that took about an hour to fill out (and I know two other candidates that had the same experience). The assessments were three different programs including their CRM, Word and Excel with upteem formulas to input to get the desired results. It took me a couple hours but talking to two other candidates one took FOUR hours just for that part. It was very elementary input and due to the detailed nature of their inventory input on their crm invoices and the formulas just went beyond what was necessary to assess proficiency.  I guess they have not heard of online skills assessments or sending out forms to bring with you as their procedure one.

The odd part is this company sells materials for storefront construction. Their own buidling lobby/entrance was extremely unattractive and as they walked me into the testing area and the 20 minute interview their was junk/boxes/papers piled on every flat surface and even the floors - and this is a huge building with plenty of room. It was just lackadaisical as these weren't even regular work areas. I peeked at the one office set up as a child's playroom and that had junk piled all over also - just pitiful working conditions.

Melanie the interviewer avoided eye contact and had to be the rudest person possible. Very dismissive in her manner she either was having a very bad day or truly could not be bothered to speak to me.  I was asked no real substantive questions only told that everyone in the company had to help find clients and call, call, call.  Duh, that is the point of commerce isn't it.  I was shocked by her demeanor and attitude as I saw my test results and know I performed at an extremely high level and have the background that met all their criteria.

Perhaps she sensed my shock at the lack of organization and marginal cleanliness of the facility. I did overhear a conversation that their cleaning company just stopped coming with no notice - all I thought is how were they treated. The only person I thought was polite was the person who scheduled me to come in. The receptionist was indifferent to rude, the owner or manager seemed very dismissive and rude and Melanie was the queen of rude people everywhere.

Since lack of civility is not a crime there isn't a lot to be done. Unless you are desparate for a job, don't bother and make sure you don't take a coveted paved or shaded parking space if you show up there. Make sure you would like to spend your precious PTO to go through a process where they decide to even interview you.

She blythely mentioned their typical they expect you to invest hours of your time. Everyone wants capable employees who can do what they say they can but their is a limit to how much time you ask someone to invest without your knowing if you have interest in them. Many employers do preliminary screening online but none have required me to devote hours within a normal workday, online lets you complete when convenient.  The topper to all this is their typical office staff workday is ten hours and given that this job is low level probably violates overtime laws with the low wage offered.

I cannot comment on their product line but the application of such at their facility was not impressive and mediocre at best. Their design esthetic seems pretty low given their cluttered, gross offices.

It is time to call out employers who disrepect people and are rude at best. The funny thing is I would not have went in for a second interview even if they responded after my thank you letter and expression of interest.  I predict this company won't be around in a few years as even their terms for clients on their test materials were pretty unyielding.

So you know Florida Glass of Tampa Bay has the same owner and location. I don't know if they share the same hiring practices.