I interviewed last year for an implementation consultant for position. Upon the initial contact by the recruiter, I was told I qualified for two positions, Workday and ConerStone On Demand. After going over my background, the recruiter felt that my skills would be best utilized with Workday HCM as I was a current HCM implementation consultant. I was very upfront and clear that I did not have any Workday experience and noticed that the job description provided to me mentioned Workday certification; however I expressed my eagerness and willingness to learn the product. The recruiter told me that if selected I would go to training in which I would then become certified and that I was still very much qualified for the position and in fact thought I could be an excellent fit for the product. Since I was eager and excited about the possible opportunity of working for Appirio as well as learning Workday, I was so glad that my lack of certification did not prevent me from moving forward with the next steps.
I interviewed with two recruiters over the phone (separately), two senior implementation consultants over the phone (separately) and the implementation manager Face to Face via Skype... A total of 5 interviews. Both recruiters and ICs gave me excellent feedback and felt that I was definitely qualified for the position. Interviewing with the manager, I could not tell what he really thought of me. None of the questions were related to my background as an implementation consultant and we spent a lot of time just talking about what he does as a manager. Additionally, when interviewing with the manager via Skype, he was in his bedroom, in a t-shirt...very relaxed for an interview. Even though it was conducted via video conference, I was still dressed to impress and just found it a little weird... I digress.
I did not make it to the face-to-face interview at the Appirio Offices, as I was informed that although I was extremely qualified and had a lot of implementation experience, the company decided that they would have preferred someone that was Workday Certified. That kind of caught me off guard. If that was the direction they were moving in, then why was I interviewed for this product to begin with seeing as they new coming in the door that I did not have previous Workday experience. It definitely upset me, going through such a long process thinking I actually had a chance, when ultimately it seems that I did not have a chance. I felt like it was a big waste of my time. But here's where it gets really interesting. After my interview three other people that used to work with me, doing exactly what I did, who did not have any previous Workday experience were hired. Now they were all hired at different times, I would say in the last 5 months, but the point is they did not have the Workday experience and two of them did not have as much implementation experience as I.
Anyone reading this may say, well maybe you didn't interview well; however, I am one who seeks feedback from any interview as I am always looking to improve. I was told the same story that all of my interviews were great, (to include the one with the hiring Manager), I had a great personality, great experience, and well qualified; however, I did not have previous Workday experience. I could except that if three others without the experience weren't hired after me. I could also accept that maybe I didn't interview well if I hadn't been offered 3 other positions by Workday Competitors after that.
All in all I still think that Appirio is a great company and have heard great things. Maybe it was just the wrong timing for me. I would probably still apply for a future position; however, I'd probably have some anxiety about going through 5 interviews only to be told I did not get a position because I was not certified especially if it was known that I did not have the needed credentials. It's just not cool to waste a person's time, or better yet, next time, just be honest about why a person was not extended the offer so they'll know.
