I received an email at 3 pm one day requesting a phone interview either that day (a Monday), Tuesday or Wednesday. I responded and said I was available at 5 pm that day. The interviewer responded to me saying they were not available after 4. A one hour window. So, I said I would move some things around and be available the next afternoon. I was very interested in the position and I took a personal day from my job in order to interview for this. When I called in at the appointed time, I got the interviewer's voice mail. I left a message that I would stand by for 30 minutes. No call. I sent an email stating that I'd called and gotten voice mail, please advise.
The next *afternoon* I got a short email apologizing and wanting to set up the call again. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and made myself available to the HR Manager for a phone interview. (Different person than the original interviewer). The 30 minute phone call was a line of questioning about personality traits and professionalism, and some basic info about my background. I was told that I would get a call from the two local people who were hiring and that I'd go in for a several hour long interview. They asked about my availability, and I gave them my afternoon off only. They asked if I could take time off of my current job to interview and I said it would create a hardship for the business. ( I had already taken off a day and been stood up. It is a small office and I wear many hats.) The HR manager said that I would get a call by next Thursday. And, that if I did not, to send her an email. She said that they didn't like letting people fall through the cracks, but sometimes they did.
Thursday came and I'd had no call, so I sent an email to the HR manager. The response was that they'd filled the position, but they would keep my resume on file in case they found something that was a good fit.
I have 15+ years of specialized experience in the field they were hiring for. I do not know how to take that comment except that it was a pat answer. Maybe HR has changed, but from my perspective this was unprofessional and sends a message that the company does not value it's perspective employees time. I hope they treat the people who work for them better.