TL;DR: Round 1 was standard with their internal TA (Talent Acquisition). Round 2 with hiring manager turned out to be no-show (!) despite accommodating at short notice.
Long(er) Story:
- Their Talent Acquisition (TA) reached out on Linkedin and we both agreed to an introductory call on Tues 12.30pm. Just 14 mins before the scheduled timing, I received the TA's message on Linkedin "I have another call scheduled at 12:30. How about 1:30?" I said OK.
- I was waiting for a call at 1.30pm but heard nothing. I wrote back on Linkedin at 1.41pm: "Seems like today is not a good time. Shall we reschedule?" 1 hour later at 2.43pm, TA replied: "Ohh I was waiting for the (your) email ID the joined another meeting. Let me know your availability so I will block it right away."
- We eventually had the introductory call the next day (Wednesday) afternoon 3pm. 2. On Wed evening 7.09pm, TA sent a message on Linkedin on moving me forward to next conversation with hiring manager. At 8.51pm, she messaged "if you are ok and available we can schedule your hiring manager round at 10 am tomorrow (Thur). Let me know." I responded yes to next round but can't make it 10am Thur and gave my available time slots - Thur afternoon and following Tue afternoon.
- A few messages back-and-forth after, TA asked "can you make it in the morning time 9:30-11:30 am any day between Friday/Saturday?" (A. these are not within the time slots I provided B. Saturday?) Regardless, I shifted my calendar and replied Friday morning 9.30am.
- And guess what - Interviewer / Hiring Manager did not show up. I messaged TA at 9.36am to say I am waiting.
Some context: Both TA and Hiring Manager are based in India. 9.30am Singapore Time would mean 7am India time.
- At 2.47pm Singapore time, I received message from TA: "Hi XXX, apologies. [Hiring Manager] has also sent apologies for the morning meeting. He reached early morning back in his town and slept off. Request to suggest a new slot for today/tomorrow or Monday. Didn't mean to waste your time. I hope you understand."
- There are so many things I find wrong here. But I leave you to make your own inferences and judgement. One thing that's very clear in my head: if the company don’t treat you right now - as a candidate, I definitely don't see them doing that in the future - when you join them. "How one does something is how one does everything".”