Before job interview - bad impression

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Posting on here for traffic.

I am starting a new job over the summer which I am excited about. It isn't a huge promotion in terms of climbing up the ladder and seniority, but it is a huge salary increase, lots of benefits, and the team seem so friendly, and the work is interesting - overall, it will be more stable and less hectic than my current workplace. My experience from the moment I submitted my application to the job offer was amazing - the HR process was sleek, and everyone was so warm, positive and friendly. Even the interview felt more like a friendly chat.

However, another job has come up at a competitor. It's a much more senior role, more aligned with where I should be heading in my next job. I assume it would be even higher pay, with the greater responsibility, as the role is also more fast paced. I wrote to the hiring manager to express my interest, but got no reply. I do have a first stage interview coming up to review my CV with them. When I was contacted by HR, the template email they sent was full of typos, including [INSERT DATE] and [INSERT TIME] in the subject. I thought, perhaps they are busy due to corovirus. When I replied, the email bounce backed because they added in a 'no reply' email. I had to call the company switchboard to get the email address for the HR person. After not hearing for two days, I get a reply with no apology for all the bouncebacks, then a no sorry for changing the date and time they initially told me. My name was also spelt incorrectly - it was an auto correct gone completely wrong tbh. When I asked for more information, such as will this be to review my CV, rather than a competency based interview, all I got was 'yes you are correct.'

I am sensing this might not be a good place to work.

AIBU - to cancel the interview?
AINBU - to go ahead?

Go for the interview and see what they're like (always useful to have interview experience), but my gut says the first place will be better.

Go ahead with the interview, it could be due to being short staffed due to current economy or just one staff member being new/having an off day.
You will get a better feel from the interview and have nothing to lose at this point.

Also check both companies on glassdoor for reviews

You should not have contacted the hiring manager directly. I assume this was not application process requested by the company, so I don't think it's a bad sign that they didn't reply. In the current climate with so many people desperate for work, the hiring manager could have received dozens of similar emails and can't be expected to reply to them all. There are a HR department and recruitment process for a reason.

The [date] [time] and 'no-reply' email suggest to me that they're using some recruitment software which automates the emails, so it could just be that the person who filled out the form is new, or the software is difficult to use.

With regard to the email you received about the interview, they can't give you details of what it will consist of as this would be unfair to other candidates, they confirmed the format which is what you asked.

Sometimes HR are just really shit but the rest of the org are decent. I’ve seen it a few times.

It's always worth going to the interview to get a proper feel for the place. Dont assume it's more money, find out for sure before making any decisions.

TBH op it sounds like you expect them to be falling over themselves for you. "No apology for bounce backs" seriously they sent a no reply email for a reason. "No sorry for changing the date", why should they apologise? Hiring manager didnt respond to you, why should she?

You sound like hard work op.

It is certainly worth seeing what happens in the interview before you make a choice.

I train HR staff, and what I am seeing at the minute in the companies I work with is a trend of furloughing the more senior (i.e the higher paid, more experienced staff) and the rest of the department running on a shoestring. Unfortunately support services like that are often trimmed to their bare minimum in lean times.

I would guess that a junior HR advisor is covering the role of a specialist recruitment manager or similar.

Good luck anyhow!

I once took what looked like a great job (exciting, prestigious, travel etc) with an office that had terrible admin during the recruitment process. “They can’t possibly be as bad as they seem, I thought.”

Big mistake! I left after couple of years and regret the time wasted there.

In my organisation it always says 'contact hiring manager if you have any questions'. The process is managed by HR but they wouldn't have a clue about the interview content or details about the job. The fact the hiring manager didn't reply is a sneak preview into how they'll treat emails when you work there.

Go for the interview. It could just be HR or due to coronavirus and people being on furlough. It might be great or it might confirm your concerns but either way, it will dispel any what-ifs.

ItsNotaGame Yes, in your organisation. That isn't the same for all organisations. Also it sounds like the OP didn't have a question, she was just expressing her interest.

gutentag1 I've actually been applying for many jobs recently and the vast majority have said 'to discuss this role contact NAME on EMAIL or NUMBER. I emailed one myself to ask a question and got a same day response. If the advert includes the contact details of the hiring manager and you have a question why wouldn't you contact them?

ItsNotaGame I agree, if the advert includes the hiring manager's details and directs questions to them, certainly contact them with any questions.

You've accepted a job that you haven't yet started, but you're going for another interview? Think you are I dangerb of getting your fingers burned tbh.