First I had an initial phone screen with a company recruiter, who is also on the founding team. From there I had a more technical phone interview with the head of the department to which I was applying. That led to an onsite interview invitation. The onsite included a presentation by me, followed by several panel interviews with team members of the group.
About a day after my onsite, I was called by the company recruiter/founder and was told that they were very impressed, and that they were extending an offer (my specific position and salary were given), which I would receive in writing within a "couple of days." Over two weeks went by without receiving the offer, and I was only given vague updates that they were still waiting for the formality of "executive approval" but it should still come. Eventually, after about 3 weeks, I was finally informed that they had decided to offer the position to someone else.
This was a classic run-around that was dishonest, unethical, and unprofessional. If they wanted to interview and evaluate other candidates before deciding, that's quite reasonable, but they should have told me that, rather than to extend me an offer verbally while to falsely claim a written offer was on the way. I guess they wanted to string me along so that I wouldn’t accept an offer elsewhere. I can't imagine how poorly they must treat and manage their employees, so I'm glad I didn't end up working there.
