What job seekers deserve to know before applying
As someone actively pursuing legitimate remote work opportunities, I recently applied for a position through Remote Raven, a company claiming to support educational professionals and connect talent to U.S.-based clients.
My experience, however, was anything but professional.
I was interviewed by a recruiter named Jose Astudillo, reportedly based in Baguio, Philippines. The interview lasted over an hour and a half, during which I encountered deeply inappropriate, intrusive, and unprofessional behavior. The recruiter asked irrelevant personal questions including matters about my marriage and home life that crossed personal and ethical boundaries for any professional job application process.
He also made intimidating statements suggesting that if I were hired, I could be terminated at any time. He spoke in a manner that made me feel uncomfortable, questioned my authenticity as a human applicant (even implying I might be from ChatGpt), and discouraged me from pursuing the opportunity further. I felt humiliated, psychologically pressured, and undermined not interviewed.
More concerning were comments about non-payment of contractors by Remote Raven clients. As someone who values transparency and fairness, I was alarmed by the suggestion that compensation might not be guaranteed. I believe job seekers especially those working remotely deserve to be paid fairly, treated respectfully, and protected from freelance exploitation.
In the United States, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ensures basic worker protections, even for remote or contract workers. Similarly, in the Philippines, the Data Privacy Act (RA 10173) and Article 358 of the Revised Penal Code prohibit oral defamation, unjust vexation, and harassment in both public and professional settings.
As applicants, we are entitled to:
Dignity during interviews Protection of our personal data and private life Fair hiring practices based on skill, not intimidation or personal intrusion
The recruiter’s conduct left me emotionally shaken and professionally discouraged. I hope this post serves as a warning, not only to other job seekers but also to companies who need to screen and train their recruitment teams more responsibly.
If your mission is to connect people with meaningful work, then respecting candidates must be your first priority. The behavior I experienced undercuts your brand’s credibility and may deter skilled professionals from applying in the future. Your founder, Randall Averitte, and the executive team must urgently review and investigate how interviews are being conducted under your brand. Unregulated recruitment practices, especially those that involve inappropriate questioning, fear-based tactics, or threats of instability, can cause emotional distress, damage professional reputations, and harm the company’s public image.
I respectfully urge you, Mr. Randall, as a leader of Remote Raven, to conduct an internal review of your recruitment protocols and take appropriate action regarding the conduct of Jose Astudillo, based in the Philippines. His behavior during my interview was unprofessional, invasive, and misaligned with ethical hiring standards and the values your organization claims to uphold.
This is not just about one interview this is about setting the right precedent and protecting your candidates, your company, and your mission.
Disclaimer: This post is a personal account shared for educational and awareness purposes. All experiences described are based on the author’s recollection and are not intended to defame or falsely accuse any individual or entity.
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