I first participated in a technical phone screen with a 3-panel interview team, asking a very structured set of 6 multi-part questions. It was apparent that they were using these same 6 questions to compare candidates with each other. It lasted 20 min, and was a "rapid fire" question/answer style screen. At the end of the screen, the hiring manager stated that I will hear back by Friday of the following week if an in-person interview request is desired. That week came and went with no word, so i assumed they weren't interested.
After an additional 10 days, I received an unexpected email and phone call, requesting an on-site interview. They were allotting only 55 minutes. When I arrived onsite for the interview, I was unable to park my full sized truck in the onsite employee parking garage. The parking garage was not normal size, and did not allow a truck to maneuver without 6-point turns and risk to damage my truck, or a parked car. I therefore exited the parking garage and parked at a What-a-burger a block away. This parking problem was a red flag. Where would I park my truck in the event I was extended an offer?
The interview was with another 3-panel interview team, likely the same exact team I phone screened with. They asked a pre-rehearsed set of 10 multi-part technical questions. They read the questions from paper in front of them. Like the phone screen, it was apparent that they were using these same questions to compare candidates with each other.
As I answered the rapid-fire questions, the interviewers scribbled on papers in front of them. The questions were basic, and some were very easy to answer. Several questions were very specific to IBM Rational Functional Tester and IBM Rational Performance Tester, which I had limited knowledge of, which they already knew from the prior phone screen.
Despite the rapid-fire technical question format, which I usually don't like, the interview was actually positive and pleasant. At no time were my answers interrupted, as is usually the case with this specific interview format. The interviewers were friendly and approachable. I sensed a high morale and a positive work environment.
We finished 5 minutes early, so this extra time was filled with my asking questions about the company's product and duties of the candidate position. Oddly, the interview in no way included an overview of their software products, nor of the type of work that was expected. It was entirely focused on the rapid-fire technical Q&A. I was able to learn small details of their product within this 5 minute period.
Afterwards, the interview team was all smiles, and I felt like my time was actually appreciated. A cheerful team member escorted me out, past the security desk. So overall, a very positive interview experience. Still waiting for feedback.