Grace takes time to find the right candidate. I started talking to them in February, initial phone interview with HR, then a phone interview with potential manager, then in person interviews with managers, HR, co-workers, and finally their IT leader.
All were *highly* professional and well organized. Time was well spent, both on the phone and in the in-person interviews. They cover every aspect with sound documentation, and I highly enjoyed the process and the opportunity to meet the staff.
The verbal offer was made in June, followed by a formal offer with all terms.
Two items of feedback:
1) Grace can take 2-3 weeks to get back to the candidate after each contact. This is probably normal, but it would be nice for them to drop a response to a thank you email so that the candidate doesn't think things have gone cold. Perhaps this is part of their process, in which case don't be concerned at a lack of contact or follow-up.
2) Grace requires pre-employment drug testing for all positions. This was not discussed in the hiring materials or in the initial HR interview. It was defined in the written offer after verbal acceptance. Even though I have no time for drugs and am a personal pilot (and thus drug tested on a regular basis) I made a promise to myself long ago not to take a position that requires such testing for all employees as a condition of employment.
Grace was very polite about this, and understood my reasons for declining the offer. They handled the situation professionally and we parted on fine terms.
My one recommendation would be to disclose this clearly up front, as it would have saved a fair bit of time on all sides in the interview process.