I interviewed with RBC Ventures.
Recruiter found my profile on LinkedIn.
I explained that I actually applied through their system weeks earlier, wondered why they never replied. They claimed that in fact they had replied, "it must have gone to your spam folder" (it didn't, I never received a reply).
I had a 15-min introductory call with eng. manager to discuss their needs. Brief overview of opportunities and the working environment.
Moved to in-person interview, which recruiter was meant to setup.
Recruiter sent me 8-calendar invites for two different locations (I didn't notice until it was too late), did not clarify instructions on what to do upon arrival.
When I arrived, unbeknownst to me, there are three RBC buildings in the complex, and I went to the 50th+ floor in the wrong one. Upon arrival, no reception area, I was outside a secure zone. Not knowing what to do, I called the recruiter, she did not pick up.
There was a phone system I could use to call an employee based on name or ext, but alas, the invites did not include last names of the people I was meeting.
Late for the interview, called a few more times, finally got recruiter. Tells me I was in the wrong building. I point out that the calendar invite gave me this address, she apologizes and says that the team had moved to another building. I then had to find the other building, which again not intuitive because it's a huge complex.
Eventually I find it. Original person I was supposed to meet is no longer available. Instead I had a meeting with two managers for different teams, which were supposed to be separate meetings, but because we were behind schedule, we decided to meet with both at once.
We spoke about my work history, experiences, and I asked them questions about working at RBC, what's it like working for a bank, work environment, culture, etc. Eventually they tested me with a simple whiteboard question.
For the most part we gelled well, but it felt like the one with the heavy accent was angry for whatever reason, he only seemed interested in being condescending and asking passive-aggressive questions in quick succession, "You've got 10 seconds to solve this puzzle"-style, didn't let me finish speaking before interrupting to ask another.
After ~90-mins, I met with the recruiter, and she got my first impressions.
But then she brought up the topic of salary, I was specifically trying to avoid the discussion at this point because it felt too early. I had already outlined my minimums during the phone-screen, so I felt I had nothing more to discuss at this stage.
Instead, she persisted pressing, and then said something along-the-lines-of, "now that you've seen our offices, you have a better feel for our office and culture, you know that we have yearly guaranteed bonuses, is there a number you think we could put for a salary?"
I interpreted this as -- she was implying that working at RBC was a blessing, that I had now "seen the light" with the 1 hour exposure that I had to their office, and that I should be glad to accept less money than I already defined as my minimum.
Taking charge of the opportunity to be a comedian, I replied with something like, "nothing I saw in our brief interaction today would warrant me working for less than I am worth. But if you insist on a number, I'll need more money than what we initially discussed." She didn't think that was funny, she was confused even, and I had to do some explaining.
After that the recruiter told me that the chief engineer is away with a team in the U.S. and won't be back for at least a week. Said they want me to meet with them and cannot move forward with a decision until then.
I shared that I have an offer I'm entertaining and can't wait that long.
Luckily they didn't waste time, and later that day emailed saying they've decided not to move forward, which freed me to accept my other offer.
In retrospect, I'm glad it played-out that way, because the place I work now is a much better environment.
The funny part -- in the email the recruiter had said, "at this time we've decided not to move forward with your application, but feel free to apply again in the future." So I replied to get clarification, "oh, so it wasn't because of a bad interview or that your team wasn't interested, it was because of the timing of this offer and your team being away, and if I apply again in the future, you would actually consider me as a candidate?"
And she replied with "I can't reveal any of that information as it's confidential."
So I replied "oh, so you don't want me to apply again, I was disqualified as a candidate, and you were just being polite?"
Never heard back from the recruiter after that.
So RBC -- for being poorly organized, wasting my time, and coming across as condescending and non-genuine -- you are being blacklisted.