The interview process was what you would expect. I had a 30-minute screen with an HR representative to discuss my background, the role and ensure there was mutual interest. Next, I had a 30-minute phone call with the hiring manager to discuss specifics of my experience (your run-of-the-mill STAR questions).
I was then brought in for a series of four 30-minute in-person interviews with people with whom I would work in the position. These were more conversational and were meant (in my view) to see if I would be a good fit within the organization. After the in-person interviews, the hiring manager asked for a 30-minute video call - he wasn’t available to spend a full 30 minutes with me while I was in their offices, so this wasn’t unusual to me. After this, they had me do a business case study presentation to the hiring manager and another member of the organization whom I hadn’t met.
In all, I had eight interviews or discussions on the role in the span of a little less than 3 weeks. After my case study presentation, I was told I would hear back in “a week or so.” I e-mailed the HR representative six days later to explain some timing considerations on my end that I wanted them to be aware of. I heard back from the HR representative five days later, saying they were wrapping things up and I should hear back from them shortly. I followed up nine days later requesting an update. I received a response, again, five days later (HR rep said she was OOO, but I guess she forgot to enable auto-response). At this point, on a Monday, I was told I would have an update at mid-week. That Thursday I was told the team decided to move forward with another candidate - no feedback or further information. The decision came four weeks after my last interview.
The interview process and people I spoke with were all very pleasant, and I know a company’s HR function isn’t always indicative of the organization as a whole, but the lack of communication and transparency throughout their decision-making process was disappointing, especially given how quickly both sides worked to schedule interviews at the outset. Quite frankly, I’m not sure I would have heard anything from them in those four weeks had I not followed up. I have been rejected from countless positions, but I have not had an experience that left such a bad taste in my mouth as this one did.
TL;DR - typical interview process, nice people, subpar communication/transparency from HR