I interviewed for two different entry level PR positions at two different offices: New York and Washington D.C. New York's office was looking for someone in entertainment, while D.C. was in healthcare. I was interested in the entertainment role, as that was my area of study, but I agreed to interview in D.C. as well at the recruiter's request. I unfortunately had a very dissatisfactory experience with both interviews. In New York, I did a first round interview, which went well, and I was invited back. I traveled to New York for a follow up interview, and when I met with the interviewer was immediately asked for my portfolio. I did not have a portfolio (this was the first mention of one) and the interview was promptly ended. I had paid my own way on both occasions, purchasing plane tickets, hotels, etc. I followed up several times with both people whom had interviewed me and never received a response. My interview in the D.C. office was pretty terrible, as I am not interested in healthcare in a professional capacity and was admittedly a very bad fit for the position. I still had to sit and take a general knowledge quiz at the close of the interview. Overall, I spend a few hundred dollars of my own money to do these interviews, but in the end it very much felt like recruiters trying to fill a quota rather than taking the time to match candidates with the job requirements. At the very least, I would have appreciated a response email. Very disappointing for a company that I otherwise thought very positively of.
