Standard 4 - phase interview: Manager, Coding, API Design, Culture Fit.
Completed all rounds with good feedback, received hints that an offer was coming up - recruiter kept checking up on availability, start date, salary expectations, etc.
Ended up with HR/recruitment stringing me along about an offer post final interview for 3-4 weeks, and after multiple follow ups was told the role was given to an internal candidate. This made me feel like it was a sham process I never had a chance in, and like my time had been wasted.
The good:
- all interviewers mentioned good work balance, supportive colleagues and work culture
- met some really nice people during the interviews
The bad:
- web IDE tooling not working during coding interview, not allowed to use IDE
- one of the interview pairs was not engaged at all and appeared disinterested in conducting the session, barely engaged in a conversation, and really did not seem like they wanted to be there at all
- drawn out interview process, no definite outcome after completing all stages for 3-4 weeks