I networked with several employees for ~8 months (via linkedin and events) before the position I was interested in became available. The phone screen was short and straightforward and then I was assigned a mini project to come up with a few business concepts and design a presentation for them. I reviewed the presentation on a phone interview with two strategists and then was called in for an in-person interview with 2 strategists and the director of strategy. I asked for feedback at the end of the interview and was given only positive feedback. While I suppose it's difficult to be critical to someone's face, I always appreciate it when interviewers are frank and upfront about perceived weaknesses. I waited two weeks (and sent 3 follow up emails in that period) before receiving the rejection. I followed up to request feedback from each of the interviewers and, to their credit, one of them did send the feedback notes which were very useful -- basically that I lacked visual design skill and general 'experience'. I only wish this would have been indicated in the interview itself so that I could have had more realistic expectations about my chances, or else had a chance to address those concerns directly. Other than that, everyone was very friendly and professional!