I applied online and shortly after was asked to participate in a webex 60 minute interview with the hiring manager. The interview required a 25 min presentation and Q&A. The hiring manager was smart and we had an engaging relevant conversation. I had the interview on a Friday afternoon and was contacted the following Monday to participate in an onsite interview with a panel. The onsite started with a 45 min presentation (by me), then an interview with someone for 45 min. The first person was great, bright, engaging and it felt like a conversation. Then 'lunch' and a 'tour' of the bldg. However, the person who took me to lunch told me that the time was limited to less than 30 min and zipped me through the cafeteria without any direction- with my coat (winter in new england) bag with laptop, etc. I had to quickly find something to eat (in a busy & somewhat overwhelming cafeteria) and carry all of my stuff- coat, laptop/bag and lunch to a conference room. Apparently the tour was left off the agenda, which was disappointing, because it was something specifically offered to the candidate. The person accompanying me to lunch was in the same role I was applying for. She had been in the role for about 4 mos. She seemed overwhelmed by the role and couldn't clearly or specifically answer my questions. (ex, Have you travelled to CA to the headquarters? I rec'd a mixed answer of 'yes twice' and 'no I haven't had time', so that was unclear.) Then there were 4 more 45 min interviews. The interviews consist of someone asking you question after question after question while they make eye contact mostly with their laptop and take notes. 3 of the 4 post lunch interviews were via webex. One person, proceeded to ask me the same questions and the previous interviewer and seemed a little flustered and his questions were just a little 'off base' for my experience and the role. The final person was very good and I felt the conversation went well. I found it difficult to ask very relevant (not generic) questions when it was my turn to ask questions, because much of the product information in the market is vague/secret.
After sending a thank you note the following day, I was told they would need 1-2 weeks to make a decision. After 1 week passed, I was told they would need an additional 1-2 weeks. I was also told to let them know if I received another offer. The day before the 4 week mark I did receive another offer. I contacted the recruiter who spoke with me and told me they hadn't made a decision between me & 1 other candidate yet, but that he would have an answer to me by the end of the following day (a Friday). He did not follow up. His comment was that the other candidate had a different 'skill set' and they were trying to decide the direction for the role. Communication was good, the HR person prepped me for the onsite with some background, however, they do not provide the full names of the people you'll meet, so you're unable to look them up in advance. The overall process was good, but the decision felt somewhat arbitrary as well as drawn out. I don't feel like I had a clear sense of the criteria I was being critiqued on, so it's hard to guess what determined their decision. After I'd accepted another offer, I was told the team selected the other candidate, so probably just as well.