Strange Interview Experience

This was my first time participating in a hiring drive.

All candidates were instructed to report to the Hiring Company's campus at 9:00 a.m. on a Saturday morning. I reached on time. The security guards asked me to write down my name and phone number at the gate. The receptionist asked me a few questions after I entered the building, and then she made me write my name and phone number again. I was then directed to the fourth floor.

The HR representative on the fourth floor asked me a few more questions and required me to write my name and phone number for the third time. I was then told to wait in a room. I joined the crowd of about 20 people who were already there. In the next hour, about 20 more people joined us, with only 4 or 5 leaving (for interview).

It was nearly 2:00 p.m. I'd been there for five hours and hadn't been called in for a single interview. I was shocked by the politeness of all the candidates who sat patiently on their chairs as if they would be shot if they moved. I was alone wandering in the room and corridor of the floor trying to find a newspaper or a magazine since my phone was low on battery. I could find none. Finally, I made an announcement in the room asking if anyone has a phone charger. I got one. But there wasn't any charging point in the room and I realised that it was a training room. I had to unplug some projector wires and charge my phone. Rest of them stared at me as if I was stealing electricity.

I was very hungry at this point, and it was then that I realised how angry hunger can make you. HR came in three times in 15 minutes, each time asking for a candidate, named Sameer, and checking to see if he was in the room.

The third time I couldn't help myself and called the HR as she was about to walk out the door.

"Excuse me.", I shouted.

"Yes."

"Are you looking for Sameer?"

"Yes. Are you Sameer?"

"No. I'm not."

"So? Do you need something?"

"Yes. Do you know how many times I had to write my name and number to be here and wait in this room?"

"Sorry."

"Three times. I wrote my name and number three times. At the gate, then at the reception and then someone on this 4th floor made me write it again."

"What's your problem?"

"Don't you have Sameer's phone number. Why can't you call him. You came here 3 times asking for him. Can't you just call and check where he is."

"Mmmm... yes, I'll do that.", said she, while rest of the candidates stared at us in surprise.

"Thank you. And yes, when do you plan to call me for an interview?"

"Your name, please."

"Niranjan."

"Ohh.. You are next.", she said while searching my name on a sheet of paper.

"Thank you."

Note: Despite passing all of the interview rounds, I did not accept their offer.

Interviewee's time is equally valuable.