Avedro interview questions

My interview experience with Avedro was unpleasant. Short version of my story, for nearly two weeks, no response about the finalized interview date and suddenly one afternoon, I received their email saying my interview was scheduled at 8am the very next day. They didn’t care that I was not a local candidate and I had to drive 3.5 hours and they didn’t reimburse my travel expense. Lack of communication before and after interview. Long version of my story- First I was contacted by HR to determine an onsite interview day. I said either of two provided dates (Thursday or Friday in two weeks) worked fine with me. After that no further notification. 10 days later, on Tuesday, I sent a follow up email – asked which day they finally picked (Thursday or Friday). No response. I assumed that they found the right candidate already and I was not invited for interview anymore. However, Wednesday afternoon 1pm, I received her email saying my interview is scheduled at 8am the very next day. I was totally shocked, First, I am not a local candidate and I need to drive at least three and half hours to Waltham. The interview starts at 8am next day, which means I need to arrive in Waltham that day. And you told me that now?? No consideration and respect for the candidate? Why don’t tell me earlier?? I think for any interview invites, 48-hour notice is the minimum. Second, I didn’t know where to stay in Waltham. The HR didn’t mention anything about hotel accommodations. Third, I had to ask my manager for a half day off that day (so I can go home to pack and drive to Waltham before traffic peak hours) and the next day off. Luckily my manager approved that, even though it’s a last minute request. I asked them what are the possible accommodations in the area. They mentioned a hotel close to the company. I was a little relieved and thought they would reimburse me after the interview. If so I could put up with all this drama . However, after the interview, I followed up with HR about the hiring process – no response. The second time I following up with HR, I send the hotel bill and asked if company has reimbursement policy for candidate – no response either. I understand that not all companies do reimbursement. That’s okay, but what’s the harm of letting me know this? This is my worst interview experience ever.

The initial contact was made through the recruiter. Initial screening phone interview was also conducted by the placement firm. The company did not have a HR dept. at the time I interviewed. The remainder of the interview process was pretty usual. There were no unexpected questions. There were two separate interviews with the hiring manager as well as some of the senior staff of the department. second interview was with Senior staff members in Engineering, QA and follow on with the hiring manager. I did not find either of these interviews difficult. I had prepared well for the interview ahead of time. The thing that stands out is that I had to come back for a third time to meet the CEO, was kept waiting for 90 min from the initial appointment time. There was no apparent concern from the CEO regarding my time. In hindsite, that should have been a bigger flag.