Process facilitated directly through the HM, was not incredibly smooth. With smaller consulting firms I go into interviews with a small degree of skepticism and look to really learn about the org from the initial phone call.
I also always prefer when there is a personal element if the initial screen does not work out, since I gave the time to an introduction. I was told next steps would be 2 weeks out, which is a long timeline, I was then rejected the next day, which is also strange given the 2 week timeline. No transparency around compensation at this stage. There has to be an interest match and I attribute a lot of this to how full my plate is with other projects and opportunities, so if you're really passionate about the work and the org it could work out.