The HR mentioned in the beginning that they normally have a "freaking lot of interviews until we get that you're a good fit". Several rounds that I was through included:
(1) Initial screening by the HR – straightforward and easy.
(2) First onsite round with the current Associate Director - Account Management & Business Development. Again, depends on how you build the rapport, but overall was pretty straightforward. The interviewer was a very nice man who seemed both humble and interested in building up connection. Overall a positive experience.
(3) 5 online tests 20-30 minutes each. Takes time but overall a fair evaluation.
(4) Second onsite round with a Regional Director Market Management. Lots of talking predominantly on the way of thinking (not industry knowledge, as the JD did not suggest any prerequisites in online travelling). Again, the interviewer was a pretty good fellow with a sense of humour and fair views on a different train of thought.
(5) Associate Vice President. Came across as a very arrogant and myopic. I guess that this normally happens with people who have worked far too long in the industry and thus refuse any challenging opinion. Several times the interviewer tried to catch me unguarded, yet every time fell short of own's unsubstantiated logic. Having nothing to say in return, the interviewer tried to exert his authority by explicitly demonstrating his bad manners (interrupted continuously, exercised negligence and yawed at me while listening). In the end, he just stood up and said that the interview was over. Could be the Agoda's best practice but I was expecting that the interviewer would at least know the purpose of the meeting rather than just trying to look poorly educated (at the AVP level it was ultimately preposterous).
Four days after I had a call from the HR that I was out. "We decided to discontinue the process. I cannot tell you why, but the interviewer said you were not a good fit".
Again, Agoda at it's best. At the end of the fifth(!) round I expected to get a fair feedback.
What can I say? Would I accept it if I got an offer? Probably not if it meant that I would have to please arrogant and myopic managers with entrenched (and distorted) thought process.
And that is the very reason why I rated the interview as positive: it can help you to tell the toxic company from a good one. And make your decision before you end up kissing butts.