This was a contract to hire position and involved five initial phone interviews, two in-person interviews and one final phone interview over a three week period. Upon reaching the in person interviews, the hiring manager mentioned the feedback toward me was very positive and that one final phone interview would most likely seal the process and how soon could I start? That final phone interview was very cut and dry, question to answer with no informational exchange allowed by the interviewer. Next there was a reasonable request for both a technical writing sample and references. Once provided, stalling techniques began which went on for over a week - "we are reviewing your writing sample", "references are fine", "manager is out of town for the rest of the week but you are still in the running". My suspicions lead me to beleive they had another candidate in mind who could not provide a final offer of acceptance until a future date. The following week I was informed the contract had gone to someone else. I expected a more professional approach to handling the interview process and treatment of a potential employee from an otherwise well regarded Bank.