I was contacted by a recruiter who found me online and screened me. Followed by a series of 6 x 30-45 minute phone interviews with 5 people over the course of a month, leading up to a final in person interview if selected. I was told by each person that I spoke with that I would fit in very well with the company and the culture based upon my discussions and that they were impressed with my background, skills, and responses and career history at the end of each call. One individual said that he was going to recommend me as a "Hire" for the position. I was called by the recruiter who informed me that "They were very impressed by you, and thought you would be a great fit. However, they had to other candidates that had more experience than you and chose to not bring you in for the final interview because they had to eliminate someone. But they may want to speak to you again in the future about additional positions as they open up."
I have never heard of a company putting someone through so many interview rounds only to not bring them in for the final interview "Because they had to eliminate someone". A series of 6 phone interviews is highly excessive, especially if they have no intension of bringing you in or really considering you for the position because other candidates had "more experience". If that is the case, which I find improbable... Then eliminate the person after the first or second round. Don't tell them they are an excellent fit for the company and the position and string them along, while making them rearrange their schedule to your availability; only to eliminate them at the last stage after telling them how great they are along the entire process. It's disrespectful and honestly cost me a lot money from the loss of billable hours. I almost want to send them an invoice for wasting my time.