Ariel Corporation interview questions

3 Phone Interviews, Personality test, Skill Aptitude test, 8.5hr in person marathon interview with every department (1:1 and groups). This took place over the course of 2.5 months. This was the heaviest interview process I have ever been part of. I spent ~14hrs actively interviewing with someone or testing for this interview. As I was going through the process at various points I was given a hint as to how many candidates were left. I made it to a point where I was 1 of 2 remaining, and during the marathon interview some interviewers hinted to me that I was their choice. After interview next phone conversations were recommended locations to live to, the relocation package, benefits etc. In another phone call I was asked my salary requirements again, I had previously told them, and inputted this information on my application, and we had a little back and forth about not being able to meet them and throwing in other benefits to compensate. I was asked to come back for a second in person interview but needed to wait for the HR manager to return from vacation to schedule. Waited 2 weeks with no call. I called them and got the run around a bit. Eventually I was told the position was on hold and I would receive a call soon. I never received a call. Were the interview process not so long and in depth or had I believed they thought I was not a good fit this would not have been such a negative experience.