The interview process was far too long and repetitive for the level of the role, with multiple rounds covering similar ground and involving overlapping interview panels. It created the impression of unclear decision-making and limited accountability. What stood out most was the imbalance between the significant time investment expected from candidates and the limited, non-actionable feedback provided. I was also surprised by the gap between the company's AI ambitions and some of the manual operational processes discussed during interviews. Finally, there was a strong emphasis on candidates having a clear and compelling story, yet the company itself struggled to present a consistent narrative around its strategy, priorities, and challenges. Hiring is a two-way process, and organisations should hold themselves to the same standard they expect from candidates. Overall, the process felt unnecessarily drawn out and would benefit from greater clarity, alignment, and respect for candidates' time.

Brief chat with recruiter then meeting with department head. Pretty informal and welcoming. Unclear how they were rating each meeting. Seemed like they are spending a lot of time on hiring.