I talked to one of the founders over the phone. He accessed my skills for the task for which he was hiring (devops using chef). He then invited me to an in-person interview. The interview was non-technical and we just talked about my past experiences, skills, and what I am looking for going forward. I was then offered a contract-to-hire deal.

After brief phone interview with D. (one of the co-founder) came in person to their Santa Clara office. The on-site interview was a technical group interview (my favorite type) and at the end of the interview I was offered the job. I did not negotiate much, just accepted it. In the evening I received an e-mail from D. that they would like to proceed with the offer on agreed terms. I wrote that it's fine. Later I received an e-mail that some more people would like to speak with me. Little did I know that the interviewing process - after the offer - is NOT OVER!!! The "problem"guy turned out to be the other co-founder, A. I was warned before talking to him that somehow he does not like me (we never met before). At the end of the day I was told, they would rather proceed with offering me a consultant position - on some shaky terms (no one in sane mind would accept). One day later D. called me and told, the company would withdraw the offer co I never seen such an unfair practice. During the interview with A. I immediately did see, I am dealing with a workplace-bully. So in some sense I saved myself a vert unpleasant experience later. I think, the company faces a big challenge how to deal with "A" in person.