Erickson Senior Living Retail Associate Interview Questions
& Process

The interview was quick and painless, lasting only about 8 minutes. They asked just a few questions, around 3. The interviewer was super friendly, which made me feel really comfortable.

It was super easy and quick; they just asked questions about my lifestyle and why I would be interested in working at the company. They were very friendly, nice, and helpful with applying.

I was recruited and had three separate, lengthy interviews with the recruiter, the staff development director, and the head chef. These interactions were very positive and productive, and we mutually agreed it was a good fit because my experience not only met the job requirements but also included specific work related to the community they serve. I was offered three positions in their new, under-construction area. I was thrilled with the company, its employees, and benefits. Because of construction delays, I even offered to take on any temporary, menial roles until the new area was ready. After several weeks, I had a potential start date and felt confident about the logistics, so I stopped my job search. Two days before my scheduled start, I had a final, formal meeting with the head administrator for dining. I dressed professionally. It was 'World Cat Day,' and knowing about the depression and loss stats among seniors, I wore a whimsical headband with small cat ears as an accessory to my outfit. I encountered some seniors in the waiting area who complimented the ears and enjoyed my explanation of their significance for World Cat Day. The interview with Kelly felt standard. She asked about my non-profit background and what brought me to Charlotte from Texas. I openly shared my personal journey as a survivor of extreme violence, explaining how it impacted me and increased my compassion, especially for those facing struggles. This hadn't come up before, but I've never hidden it and it felt relevant to one of her questions. I also discussed my philosophies on managing people and conflict resolution. I felt the interview went well and expected to start work two days later. To my shock, six weeks after my initial interviews, I received a call from the recruiter stating they were withdrawing the offer because Kelly was concerned about the cat ears and my experience as a survivor of violence. I was stunned that my personal tragedy and the resulting challenges were seen as a liability for working with seniors. This was devastating, especially after the positive reception from others. I tried to reach out for clarity to help with my job search, but she didn't respond. This lack of communication felt unhelpful after her decision drastically changed my future prospects. While I understand employment is at-will in NC, I felt this crossed a line of basic decency, and her explanation could have been constructive. My positive experiences with everyone else before meeting her contrast sharply with this outcome. I believed honesty was the best policy, but in this instance, I felt judged rather than understood.