I applied for the role via LinkedIn and was contacted via email RedSpace, saying they were interested in arranging an interview. My skills matched what they were looking for, they were going to fast track my application to the final stage. I was to have an interview with the CEO and other senior management.
The Skype interview went well. I waited about 4/5 days for an email to say they would like to start discussing an offer and clarified my salary expectations. I replied to that email, ironically, I was going be visiting Halifax on vacation in a week so offered to come and see them face to face. I didn't receive a response from HR for an entire week. When they did reply, it was to confirm a date and time for me to visit.
I went to meet them at my own my own expense and time, I took a few hours out of my holiday to do this. It was lovely to meet them all and to see the office, I was told that an offer was going to be forthcoming. I asked about salary, relocation expenses and holiday to which I was told was all negotiable. I waited almost another week for an offer letter to come through.
When the offer did come through, I was slightly disappointed, the salary was lower than we discussed, as was the relocation expenses. I went back and negotiated a salary to what we had originally discussed, as well as the re-location but I got a solid no on all fronts.
During this time, we had started making plans regarding the move, I had told friends and family that we were going to be moving. I had spent some money obtaining quotes and cancelled a holiday incurring cancellation fees. I had signed the letter but hadn't sent it in as I was yet again waiting on a response from the recruitment team regarding time scales. On the very last day the offer expired, I had emailed and called their Canadian office from the UK but about an hour later I got an email from HR thanking me for my Interest but they had decided to go in a different direction and there fore the offer was rescinded.
I really felt that the time and effort both parties had but into the recruitment process was more than to just be thanked for my interest, I felt that was a little cold, after all, I had received an official offer letter, so, as far as I was concerned, our contact was more significant than just interest.
I think RedSpace are a good company, and the offices are really nice. I think the recruitment process could be improved - especially in the communication department - but I would be incredibly cautious if you are applying from overseas. Considering they are a flagship company of the AIP, they didn't treat me with respect I deserved and like I have mentioned, after getting an offer letter I had started to make plans, spent money so to have the offer rescinded at the 11th hour was really unprofessional .
