Interviewed with three people in Glendale - a high level developer, the development manager or director, and an HR person. The first two interviews with the technical guys went great. I outlined that I had a child and wish resources like this company had been available during his formative years, and that this is one of the main reasons I was motivated to work and contribute there. Also made mention of the environment, the ambiance, and the work itself, me being right brained and loving the creative aspects of development and the collaboration.
HR was last. In comes this very attractive woman who asked me the usual HR questions, including why I left my last company and more important, what I thought of them. Considering that I quit after almost a decade because I was, for the 4th time, the only person left in the department and this was due to serious issues with accountability, professionalism, career advancement, and trust, I think my answer was about as even tempered as could be expected. I said we were understaffed and I was unable to focus on my real interests which involved development. Also that I ended up never being able to rise in the company because I was already the most accomplished and autonomous person in the department.
I find out later from the recruiter that sent me that this woman rejected me because I didn't seem like I was too thrilled with my former employer. This is idiocy. People who are thrilled and not likely to ever be fired are not at ABC Learning applying for a job. This should be evident. The recruiter told me that she needed to speak with ABC because I was one of quite a few people who were rejected by HR over absurdities or ambiguities despite getting enthusiastic thumbs up from all technical and team people. Still later, I had another recruiter try to suggest sending me to interview for the same position again. Turns out they always seem to need developers. Go figure. No thanks.