I had a meeting this morning in Berlin
I had a meeting this morning in Berlin, scheduled last week. We had numerous email exchanges in the meantime. Since I had already signed up with several similar staffing agencies without any results, I requested to have a video interview instead. They refused, arguing that people from the company interested in my resume would be present and that I needed to be there in person. They also asked me to bring my passport, ID card, tax number, social insurance number, health insurance card, IBAN, etc., which is illegal and unnecessary without a signed contract (which I told them, but they dismissed it with nonsensical excuses and nonsense).
I arrived at the interview, and another person greeted me, not knowing my scheduled interview. I asked to speak with Mr. Engel, and he told me that he would take the interview instead, without any further explanation. He had not read my resume and had no clue about the position I was being interviewed for. The company that was supposed to be present was also not there (of course). I insisted on speaking with the person I had originally arranged the interview with. My interlocutor seemed surprised and irritated by this simple request. Eventually, the person I was supposed to meet appeared. He repeated the same nonsense that the lady who called me last week had said. I asked him why the company in question was not there. He responded with the same nonsense and aggressively asked me twice, "Aren't you looking for a job?" as if that was a substitute for a clear answer to my legitimate question, designed to avoid addressing the blatant incoherence and misleading tactics by throwing in some guilt-inducing, ridiculous question. I thought it was a cheap psychological tactic. I told him that I thought they were a serious company. He then invited me to leave. I complied immediately and said absolutely nothing.
I wasted 3 hours getting there and 8 euros in transportation, which they, of course, will not reimburse. This kind of agency should close down on the spot.
The general attitude of these two interlocutors was one of condescension and contempt. I am still furious and disgusted by the entire experience. These people think they have all the rights and that we are at their complete disposal. I worked as a recruiter in another life and I would throw such people out immediately. I gave them one star because there are no other options but they deserve absolutely none.