Applied online on company website using applicant tracking software, at the start of November. Was contacted by an offshore recruiter mid November, who was unable to get anyone in the UK department hiring, to confirm interview slots for a number of weeks until after Christmas and the New year. Interview date was scheduled in the New year for the end of January. I had to schedule a feedback call from HR in mid February so they could follow up with me. I thought this was about next steps, as I assumed you wouldn’t schedule time to speak with a candidate if you not setting up further interviews! A couple of dates didn’t fit HR’s diary so a week later I was informed on the call, that although I did well at the face 2 face interview they were not progressing my application. Unfortunately other candidates were a better fit for that role. I was advised on the same call by HR to let them know directly by email of any other roles I applied for which matched my skills as the manager who interviewed me thought I had the right profile for the company. Although having to get a call was better than no response or acknowledgment email, I later realised this advice was useless as I applied for other vacancies but received no response from the HR contact. The follow up call is an internal box ticking exercise which is a waste of time for the candidate and would be better served by a online survey. This was a year before the pandemic so not as busy with applications as now. Not really an excuse to give false hope to candidates if you are not going to progress them or take a long time to setup interviews.