My initial phone screen was with an offsite recruiter and it was very thorough. I quickly advanced to a second phone interview with the hiring manager; my call with her was rather easy. She spent time detailing the position and answered my many questions. It felt more like a conversation and less like an interview which was great. After my call with the hiring manager, I was quickly moved forward to an onsite interview and was requested to complete an “Assessment” test.
Before elaborating on why I believe the assessment test will deter strong, dynamic candidates, I will say I agree with the concept of an assessment test; it can be a very powerful tool in evaluating talent. However, the test given by QAD is actually an IQ test - and clearly outdated. My test included seven sections-- three of which tested mathematical ability (solving mathematical patterns and various forms of algebra). I had to complete approximately forty (yes, FORTY) algebra questions. There was also a section which tested vocabulary (ie verbal intelligence). Half of the words were words my husband and I were not capable of defining - and we are both highly successful, college-educated individuals. My main takeaways after completing the assessment:
-- The test format and content represented an outdated train of thought, which for me, poorly represented the company and its leadership.
-- Any company who thinks algebra and inconceivable vocabulary has anything to do with a person's success in a Director-level HR role is out of touch with reality and not a company I wish to work for. For the record, I’ve never once needed algebra in my professional career and my vocabulary has never once hindered my success or advancement. An exercise which gauged data analysis in Excel would have been the most logical approach.
-- QAD recruiting never communicated the purpose of the test; how they use the results in the evaluation process; and what the process is for sharing the results with a candidate and the hiring manager. This lack of basic information made me question the integrity of the company. As it turns out, candidates do not receive their results.
-- QAD should be transparent and start calling it an IQ test in their candidate-facing emails and talk-tracks. If they’re administering something that’s not your standard skills-related prescreening, be upfront about it and don’t mislead people or waste their time.
Despite my disagreement with the assessment, I went in for my onsite interview — hopeful the onsite experience would change my perception of the company. Once onsite, the environment felt extremely corporate and lacked the friendly, innovative, relaxed feeling I’m used to seeing in office environments.
My time with the hiring manager was well-spent. She was thorough, direct, and went as far as specifying what she perceived as a “gap” in my qualifications and proceeded to ask a pointed question to “test” this weak area. Side note: After my interview, I researched the company that administers the QAD Assessment and learned each hiring manager receives a summary outlining a candidates strengths and weaknesses (per the test), with suggested interview questions to better gauge the weak areas. In theory, a good idea - but there’s most certainly a more productive way of going about it.
The second half of my onsite was spent with another team member who was also very thorough and prepared. She asked some good questions, some tough, and seemed much friendlier in personality.
Overall, I really wanted to like QAD. It’s a great location, had a good compensation range for the role, and a beautiful campus with an onsite gym. However, I didn’t feel good about the company. Based on my experience and after reading employee reviews on Glassdoor, it seems like a decent majority of employees and/or those in impactful leadership positions have likely been there a very long time, are nearing retirement, and lack the passion, motivation, and vision needed to transform and influence the path forward. In the end, I reached out to the recruiter and declined to be moved forward — and he said he was surprised. Perhaps they liked me and intended to make an offer. I will never know. What I do know is QAD just didn't seem like a good fit for me at this time.
