I submitted my application online. About a week later I received an email to complete a phone screening. I got the call and spoke briefly with a young interviewer that struggle with language skills. She first asked me about myself and then my experience in working in a call center. I proceeded to tell her about my extensive experience in student services and that I had a number of years of experience working in call centers. She then told me she would pass her notes along to the higher ups. Two days later I get a message late at night telling me National University is moving on with candidates that are a "better fit" for the position. I was taken aback by their choice of words because I just spent 10 minutes explaining to their gatekeeper about my years of experience in the exact same role and the years I spent doing customer service in a call center in general, just like the posted job description called for. Then it occurred to me that my experience was the real problem. National University isn't looking for people to advise students, they're looking for friends, and if you don't fit into their narrow demographic as a job candidate, they will show you the door. My interviewer was likely of Gen Z, and from my research, Gen Z gatekeepers tend to only advance candidates they can relate to, which leaves experienced workers out to dry. It's sad to see that this is how National University chooses its staff, but the reality is that seasoned, more experienced applicants don't stand a chance with young recruiters that frown on older candidates. The interview itself wasn't hard at all. Once I revealed my experience, it was pretty much over at that point.

Applied toward the end of November. Received call from screener/recruiter first week of December, so about 3 weeks to hear back. Recruiter called about this Advisor position but also Counselor position, but I guess only ended up scheduling me for Advisor interview. Interview itself was just okay. Received email with multiple people linked, but only spoke to one person, who was nice, but I felt that the questions were way too broad and generalized, which then made it difficult. Interviewer kept asking for specific overly concrete details, which made it feel like an interrogation? It just didn't feel related or important or relevant to the actual job duties, which by the way, this is for a BASIC low-paying (dare I say under-paying considering the educational requirements, their "preferred" amount of prior experience, and other qualifications, for a basic customer service job, which they put you through weeks of training for, anyway) entry level job. While I don't have the EXACT same job title, I am overqualified technically and have worked in plenty of scenarios that translated to what the job description asked for. They said they were urgently hiring for next year, had several spots to fill, and yet they ultimately denied me. I guess they are looking for unicorns, which is ridiculous because the pay is insultingly low for that type of impossibly perfect candidate. Also note that the job was not advertised as "Evergreen" but it was listed on the title of my video call interview. So this is a high turn-over job and/or just resume collecting, considering it seems like they don't want to really hire anyone. Everyone keeps telling me it's good I received a rejection so I won't get underpaid and undervalued for my time apparently. They also said I would hear back from them or the recruiter personally for an update--never happened, just got the typical Workday email, so they seem flakey and inconsistent.