Interesting process to say the least, and quite telling of how the company's hiring is run.
I submitted my application on a Thursday. The next Tuesday I received a cold email from a recruiter stating that I'd be a good fit for the position I had just applied to.
I took this to mean that the company doesn't necessarily look at submitted applications and instead relied out outreach recruitment. Nevertheless, I was excited and had a screening call with the recruiter, and I had a positive experience and was selected to speak with the hiring manager. Two weeks after my initial submission, I spoke with the hiring manager. The manager was pleasant, however it very much appeared as though the interview was a mere formality they were conducting as they already had a candidate in mind for the job.
I was asked how I handle a position where I may not agree with management.
I was asked how I would work with direct reports who aren't willing to go along in a new direction.
The questions were mostly standard. I thought I did quite well but in such instances it's not like we can read the manager's mind and know what they are looking for. Clearly my answers didn't quite pass muster and while that is regrettable it is understandable.
Here is where I drew exception. I didn't hear anything back by midweek the week after and so I sent a polite email inquiring about the status and was told that the recruiter will be meeting with the hiring manager later. I then heard nothing.
The next midweek, I again sent a message asking if there was any progress, and I reiterated my enthusiasm, and was again told that while they apologize for the delay, there is no news as well and the recruiter is working in getting an update.
I waited a week more and this time I messaged both the recruiter and hiring manager, stated my enthusiasm for the role yet again but also said that it would be best if they could let me know if a decision one way or the other.
And then that Friday, 5 weeks after submitting my application and 3 weeks after the interview, I was told that I was not selected.
I think they could have made this a way better experience by being forthright and not taking up so much time.