Get the picture: All started with a nice call of HR and continued with 3 invitations into the office. Once even with an invitation for business lunch. After the first meeting up at the office, there was interest shown and at the second even told, that I‘m the candidate they are looking for and the contract will be prepared. (Even if it was just oral given, that is valid by law in Germany!) And it was emphasized, that trust is a lead idea and any supervisor should set a good example. There was just one thing left, it was asked via email: a recommendation via call from the last executive from my last company. So, no problem, everything was arranged, dates fixed, everyone introduced and the last executive, even the secretary and the executive of „Alexander Thamm“ company were in the email distribution list. After several weeks without any feedback, I noticed that the call didn't take place, but no cancellation nor explanation of "Alexander Thamm". Request of any status via email to contact person at „Alexander Thamm“ were ignored. I got him via mobile and was told, there is no interest any longer because of missing IT knowhow?! He got this into mind after 2 month......Don't get it wrong: a rejection is ok, so that`s how the game is played, everyone can go on afterwards. But why that request for a call and no cancelation nor any feedback to me? Why talking already about sending the contract? Why ignoring a polite request for any status? That is called "business-ghosting". Just google for it. But it was even more like that, it is after a long period with several meetings, calls and emails very disrespectful and shows a huge lack of soft skills and appreciation. Anyone should have this in mind before applying at that start up, that wants to grow fast. No doubt of their technical knowledge, but no professional handling with candidates from my experience.

Nach einer Woche, nachdem ich meine Online-Bewerbung abgeschickt hatte, erhielt ich eine E-Mail von der HR-Abteilung und wurde zu einem Telefoninterview eingeladen. Am Tag des Interviews rief mich die HR-Mitarbeiterin auf meinem Telefon an, und wir sprachen etwa eine halbe Stunde miteinander. Sie stellte sich vor, erklärte mir den Ablauf des Gesprächs und ich stellte mich ebenfalls vor. Sie fragte nach meiner Motivation und stellte mir außerdem einige einfache Fragen zu meinem Lebenslauf. Etwa fünf Stunden später erhielt ich erneut eine E-Mail und wurde zu einem technischen Interview eingeladen. In diesem Interview sprachen zwei Teammitglieder mit mir – einer war Data Scientist und der andere Data Engineer, und stellten mir technische Fragen. Am Ende gab es noch eine einfache Live-Coding-Challenge in Replit zu SQL, bei der ich leider keine gute Leistung zeigte und es nicht geschafft habe.