I had a 30 minute phone interview with a very nice H.R. recruiter, who told me that my target rate was "reasonable". The recruiter immediately set up an on-site interview with me and the hiring manager, which consisted of scripted questions, and lasted an hour. Later that same week the recruiter called to tell me that the manager was impressed with me and that I had all of the qualifications but, wanted to offer me a few thousand dollars less. I stood my ground but waited for a response during week 2. The recruiter emailed me at the beginning of week 2 letting me know that the hiring manager was meeting with their upper manager to try to get a better offer for me, and that he (the recruiter) would get back to me in a few days. No communication from them during the rest of week 2! Halfway through week 3, I called the recruiter to get a status on things, and they informed me that the hiring manager suddenly decided to put the position on hold "indefinitely". (I was told in both interviews that they needed somebody immediately.) No reason was given except that my target rate was too high (even though it fell on the high end of the range for that position so, they had a budget for my target pay rate). It is very important to carefully review all aspects of the recruiting process because it's the only time you'll get the best treatment by any company. Once a company hires you, anything goes. After all was said and done, I found this organization's recruiting tactics (towards the end) unscrupulous. Stringing candidates along by putting a position "on hold" is total malarkey. Needless to say, I'm not impressed with them.

Found job on Craigslist, sent in resume. Had a phone screening with HR, then in office interview with hiring manager the following week. Met some other managers and interviewed for 2 hours.