Their Craigslist ad asked candidates to "Come in to interview Monday thru Friday 2pm to 4pm". I walked in during that time, but was not interviewed because the manager was alone and said he didn't have time to interview me. I watched him stand in the middle of an empty dining room for about 10 minutes and then pace around, so I wasn't sure how he couldn't manage a few minutes with me. Also, the ad specifically asked candidates to come between 2pm and 4pm, and since I've worked in a restaurant before, I know that's because it's typically a slow time and managers will have the time to talk to an interviewee. The restaurant was clearly slow when I walked in, and if they are asking people to come in and interview, it seems strange that the manager wouldn't be prepared to actually interview someone.
The ad specified that "fine dining is a plus", however, based on the manager's attitude towards me during my time there, and his dismissal of my application (which included a test on fine dining know-how), fine dining experience is necessary. I was told the manager and GM would review my application and test and contact me if they were interested. It's upsetting that I had to waste my time (and my work break) going in there, if they weren't going to consider me without the fine dining experience. If they had just specified that in the ad, I would have been understanding.
I would have felt better if he had even given me the courtesy of an interview (even just 5 minutes with him), which was specifically mentioned in their job ad, and been able to sell myself based on my other merits and qualifications. However, it seems the manager judged immediately that I wasn't worth his time without the fine dining, and let me sit there and waste 40 minutes instead. Overall, not a great experience and pretty embarrassing as well.
