Applied online in early Feb. Received an email expressing interest and followed up to schedule a phone interview. Had an initial phone interview with the hiring manager (in Germany) and was told they were on an aggressive timeline, looking to make a quick hiring decision and were excited about my prospects. I had a 2nd interview the next day with another contact in India. That went well, so I had a phone interview with HR in California. Then they scheduled me for two in-person interviews at the office in Novi - one with a potential colleague and the 2nd with an HR Director. In all, 5 interviews that first week. Plus several friendly email exchanges and follow-up calls from HR in California to verify how the interviews were going. I was very impressed that first week. The office in Novi is beautiful and everyone was organized, friendly and efficient. At the end of the interviews in Novi, I was told they had one more week of interviews and would reach a decision in 2 weeks.
This is where it all goes downhill. I wait 7 days before emailing to confirm the 2 week timeframe is still the plan. No response. I wait another week and reach out again, referencing my previous inquiry. I'm told they'll get back to me the following week. The following week: nothing. I follow up and am told one more week. Again, nothing. Finally I get a phone call. I'm told this is an important position and it's "only been posted for 9 weeks", that I need to be patient (despite the expectation THEY set, that it was an aggressive timeline and a decision would be reached much sooner). I'm ***promised*** they will know within 3 days and to expect a call. That doesn't happen. I notice the position is no longer posted. I email HR and cc the hiring manager, which prompts a return call from HR. The HR rep in CA confirms they went with another candidate and she is busy. (Again, then don't promise to call back in 3 days).
All-in-all the process was too drawn-out. The way I was treated as a candidate was disrespectful and inconsiderate. Harman not honoring their communication left me managing my team unconventionally throughout the process so that I was prepared to give notice at any point. If Harman had said the process would take 4-6 weeks, I would have been able to take on projects in the meantime. Stringing me along 1 week at a time with a false sense of urgency left me in a super awkward position at my current role.
Advice to HR: If you aren't interested in a candidate, don't string them along. We have other jobs to do and/or other offers to pursue. Honor the timelines and communication promises you make to candidates. The first week was awesome - if you had actually made a decision within 2 weeks as communicated - for or against me - this would have been a 5 star review. Be consistently kind. The last few weeks of interactions were inconsiderate and rude. Don't lie. I asked how many candidates the decision was down to and was told, "there's no way of knowing, it's a complicated position and we are looking for a particular skill set". Really? I'd rather hear: "Two, and you're our second pick due to___[salary expectations, relocation,...]. If the first choice declines, we'll be in touch. He/She has 48hrs to accept our offer."