Pre - Process Scenario
Got an email from HR for scheduling of interview, was told have to come on a weekday only, decided on a date, no response from the HR. Apparently, she went on a week's leave. From getting a mail in first week of December to interview being scheduled in the last week of December, I was getting some negative vibes.
On the day of Interview
The interview process generally consists of a 90 min test consisting of three sections :
Software, Hardware and Logical Reasoning.
Even if you're applying for a software profile, the hardware section is mandatory to attempt and is taken into consideration for further shortlisting!
After the 90 min test, I had 2 technical interviews, each one of duration 1.5 to 2 hours (yeah, they were long interviews but I wanted the job, so took it in my stride)
I was told that I'll be contacted by HR for the further process after the feedback.
Got a call from the HR, she said that technically I have been selected and have to just come down to the office again for the HR round. Again, on a weekday.
Went for the HR round. 20-25 min round. Not much was asked by the HR, I did ask a few things about the company and the work culture over there. In the end, she told me that they'll get back to me soon.
Received an email asking me to come for another HR round, on yet another weekday, that too at 12 in the afternoon.
Now, the office is in Noida; I work in a company at Gurgaon and even if I try to commute from Noida to Gurgaon, not taking an off again costs me more than half of my day. I still went in for the second HR round, hoping that it might all be for some good reason.
The HR round was with their HR lead. She made me wait for 50 minutes, the HR round lasted for 10 minutes only. Got no confirmation for the offer or anything. Was again told that they'll reach out to me soon.
2 weeks passed, no response from their end. I tried to contact the same HR who had contacted me earlier. I was told they're interviewing other candidates for the same position, so they can't yet decide.
A week or so passed, I got a mail stating that the position that I had applied for, has been filled. However, I was told there's a different position that is open and I can come for the WHOLE process again. I asked them to reschedule it the next week so that I can brush up my skills a bit, they refused!
They said, they will conduct the Technical interviews yet again. Ideally, if I was being considered for a different team, I need to go through only one round with the hiring manager, but it seems things don't work like that at Mentor!
I went for the technical rounds, again! Had 2 technical rounds, was again told that the HR will get back to me and didn't get any response from them for more than 10 days.
Contacted them again, the HR informed me that she was on leave for the week and hence the delayed response.
After 2 whole months, 2 complete Interview processes, 4 days off work (at my current job) and being "technically selected" I got my rejection!
Thank you, Mentor Graphics. If that's how you treat prospective employees, I feel lucky that I didn't get in. :)