was interviewed here three times and did not receive a single offer. PhD position #1: The interview was fairly easy with no technical questions. No applicant was hired, although 3-4 were interviewed. PhD position #2: In this case, I was selected among the top candidates (if they contact your reference people, it means you are in the top 1-2 candidates). The process took forever; in the end, I was not selected. It was a painful situation. They should have expedited the process. Their procedure took 2 months after the interview before you knew whether you were accepted or not. Too bureaucratic. PhD position #3: A LOT OF PEOPLE interviewed me, around 4-5, and the questions were very superficial and easy to answer. I was not selected, perhaps because of my limited experience in the subfield (there are two fields). Essentially, if they don't contact your reference people, then it means you are not selected as one of the top 1-2 candidates. I think they just pick two candidates because if the top choice rejects the offer, then the second choice can receive it. This approach is very selfish and not good, resembling more of an industry practice than a university hiring practice.