Worst candidate experience of my life. I had already decided after flying in not to accept an offer had they made one. Applied in April 2023. A recruiter reached out after less than 2 hours to schedule a phone interview. It was clear in the phone screen that the recruiter did not understand the role but that's not uncommon for a phone screen at the executive level. After the phone screen the recruiter insisted on contacting me via text which seemed a bit odd, but hey it's 2023. I'm not necessarily opposed. He also didn't seem to understand that while he's on Eastern Time, I'm on Mountain Time. I just went with it and took interviews as early as 6:30am my time. I then interviewed via Teams with the person they said was the hiring executive. I thought it went extremely well, sent a thank you note via email, and immediately received a message back stating he couldn't wait to "continue our delightful conversation" and would be in touch. I thought surely that indicated I would be moving to the next round. I then waited 17 days. Nothing. Crickets. So I called the recruiter and left a voicemail asking for an update as I was trying to make decisions about a huge home renovation and wasn't going to do the entire project if I would potentially be moving out of state in a few months. Three hours later I received a TEXT saying "We decided to go with someone else. Thanks." I was completely shocked. It was so unprofessional from a decently large company for a executive level role. I did pull myself together because I do appreciate feedback and even if they aren't professional, I am. I sent the hiring manager an email letting him know my disappointment but that I would appreciate feedback to improve in the future. Nothing for several weeks until he responded back to that message and asked if I was still interested. Well. To be honest I wasn't, but it was a job that could bring me to my hometown so I agreed to meet with him out of curiosity if nothing else. In June I had another virtual interview with him. He said that the candidate they had preferred would not be able to do the job (for a reason that showed they do not understand my field at all - red flag #27) and therefore were contacting me again as their second choice. He then provided "feedback" that my "physical appearance is great but you talk a lot". He also said that someone else would be the hiring manager and that person would like to talk to me. I had a great virtual interview with the new hiring manager in late June and I felt like maybe the person that made me feel uncomfortable was retiring and everyone else seemed OK so I felt more positive about it. He said they would like to fly me to Louisville for in person interviews. The recruiter called me to schedule this and seemed flabbergasted that I thought they would be making the arrangements. Four days before the interview I still didn't have travel confirmation and emailed to follow up. They finally sent flight and hotel information. It was all extremely awkward. I flew into town in mid-July and almost everything was unprofessional. I had to figure out my own way around town which was fine since I'm from Louisville, but would have been stressful if it was a new city. No meals suggested. I didn't receive a full schedule. etc The next day I had 4 hours of interviews plus a lunch. They were all extremely awkward and it was obvious no one knew exactly what it is that someone in my field does including the CEO. Several interviewers asked me questions that felt inappropriate and made me uncomfortable including questions about my children, my spouse's employment, and what neighborhoods I planned to look for real estate in if I got the job. One executive wrinkled his nose at my preferred urban neighborhood and suggested it was "not a good place to live'. I'd lived and served on the neighborhood board for 5 years before moving out of state. I love that neighborhood and the people who live there. Another touched the small of my back when I walked through a door in front of him. Yet another told me a story about someone they fired. I didn't know how to respond but felt extremely uncomfortable. I was told they would be in touch, flew back, and then I was completely ghosted. Never heard from them again. Not even a text rejection this time. I has already made up my mind that I wasn't going to work there so I didn't bother to follow up. It's been 6 months so I'm pretty sure I won't have to figure out how to tactfully decline an offer because I'm not getting one. But the professional thing would be to send me at least a form email rejection. They were excited to tell me all about their female CEO, but actions spoke far louder than words. If you're a good ole boy from Southern Indiana or Louisville this is probably a great place corporate environment. If you are anything else, may the odds be ever in your favor. I've since accepted a similar role at a much larger company.