I went through the online interview stages ( second online interview was on May 27th, 2024 ) for a Business Development Manager role of Teltonika Telematics in Turkey. The company had been established for almost only 1 year in Turkey. Actually, I am someone who is selective in job opportunities. I had considered this role a growth opportunity both professionally and personally. Also, disruptive technology domains were one of my interests.
To qualify for the second online interview, they required a “Turkish Telematics Market Research presentation” 📉 covering various aspects such as challenges, goals, objectives, values, needs, and businesses of “at least 5” potential clients/target customers and competitors in the market for me to find out, elaborate and present to the top level executives. I conducted thorough research and listed 15-20 times as many clients and competitors in the value chain as well as concepts to drive sales in my assignment addressing every single aspect requested in detail as a professional report.
In the task document, it was clearly highlighted that, the presentation would be evaluated on aspects such as research depth and communication etc. It took me “25 days” to complete, and I submitted the most organized and comprehensive report possible, meeting the deadline 🕥, genuinely aiming to contribute to the sales strategy by benefitting from diverse sources ℹ️, my network and to enhance the presence of the company in Turkey. Upon my submission of the “assignment”, the tide turned. After many follow-up emails and calls, I was barely given a date for the second online interview with the interviewers.
The most awkward thing about the hiring process occurred during the second online interview. The online meeting started with the the top level executive expressing at the very beginning of the interview “The report, this is too much!”, “WE KNOW EVERYTHING❗️”, followed by a harsh attitude throughout the online interview. Besides, I was only allowed to open up the conversation on the presentation for just 3-4 minutes. At the end of the second interview, I have been offered a salary that does not even fall within the salary range that had been “specified in the job posting” 📋 and that had been discussed in the first online interview. Not to mention, not a single word has been uttered about the bonus package that was promised. There was no “acknowledgement” of the efforts put into the work whatsoever.
The purpose of the interview, preparation, and presentation of a market research report is to teach top level executives? or to showcase the candidate’s understanding on the industry and market players and to demonstrate whether the candidate is capable of handling such an assignment in accordance with the task content ?
Top level executives of the innovative brand, but equipped with profiles and vision does not reflect the leading brand image, ended up being a waste of time for me. It is an “experience” maybe but is not worthwhile. It is not more important than your time, health and sincere endeavours.
Therefore, I suggest that those who take the time to read this feedback focus their endeavours on reliable, visionary, well-established, consistent, and professional ones, by researching in the first place the background and feedbacks of the company you are considering applying to in order to avoid regrets later on. I recommend not taking what is stated in the job posting too seriously. It would be beneficial to read and listen to past comments from former employees/interviewees. ( By the way, I had actually done so but it seems it was not enough. I was deceived by the core values and cultural elements presented to me by the company, and I thought the feedbacks and evaluations of former interviewees might have been wrong ).
Ultimately, this is a risk you will take and invest in if a pre-interview project, case study or market research etc., is requested from you to qualify for the next steps. For me, it was rather disturbing and awful. So, I wanted to give you some insights on my interview processes with Teltonika Telematics and draw attention to how you should be careful during these kinds of recruitment processes.
