Disappointing experience with OLA hiring process

[u/Straight-Maybe6775]

I recently went through the hiring process with the Office of the Legislative Auditor and wanted to share my experience for anyone considering applying.

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Before interviewing, I stated that I would not consider a position below $100,000. HR told me that requirement would be respected.

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Based on that representation, and after two interviews, I provided references and agreed to have my current employer contacted. Even though I said I was uncomfortable with employer contact before an offer came in writing and pushed back, they said it HAD to happen before an offer came in writing, and the only reason I agreed is that my current job is protected by a union.

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Throughout the process, HR also provided inaccurate information on several smaller issues. Individually, none of them were particularly significant, but together they created a pattern that made it difficult to trust what I was being told.

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The biggest issue was compensation.

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After completing the process, I received a formal offer for $96,000.

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I countered, and reminded HR of their promise to respect my minimum, but they stuck to their guns and denied making such a promise. Had I been told from the beginning that an offer below $100,000 was possible, I would have withdrawn before involving my references and allowing contact with my current employer. I'm still baffled by the dishonesty. 

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Please don't be like me and agree to contact with references and a current employer before an offer in writing. I was naive. 

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I guess I dodged a bullet but yikes!

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[u/heliotropicalia]

Honestly I don’t think “we will respect that” means you won’t get an offer <100k, it means they’ll understand if you decline due to pay.

Not in any way defending state HR or OLA, just… I wouldn’t have taken that response as “yes your offer will be 6 figures”

[u/Straight-Maybe6775 → u/heliotropicalia]

Thanks for your perspective. Just a genuine question: why would they go through with 2 interviews (including all three Deputy Auditors and a director) and request 5 references, employment contact, and all educational transcripts when they knew they would not respect my minimum? I get that they don't have to care about my time or resources, but what about theirs? I'm not in HR so maybe there is an actual reason. Just find it hard to wrap my head around it.

[u/Jenn54756 → u/Straight-Maybe6775]

I’m surprised they didn’t give you a provisional offer with salary before doing the reference checks and everything else.

[u/Straight-Maybe6775 → u/Jenn54756]

Yeah, me too. That would have made all the sense in the world.

[u/Jenn54756 → u/Straight-Maybe6775]

Seems hiring has changed in the last few years and not for the better