The interview process was great overall. The coordinator was very responsive, and I really liked the team after the onsite. But because my offer was withdrawn with zero transparency, I cannot even give a neutral rate here. I will write down the whole hiring process with detailed timeline. Please use your own judgement when you consider to apply a position or accept an offer from this company.
Because I did get a verbal offer with a congratulation email, I will choose "Yes, but I declined" for the question "Did you get an offer?*".
I was referred by a friend, so got my first round interview very soon. I had my first phone screen with the technical recruiter in mid Oct, then went to their office for a coffee talk with the hiring manager about one week after (late Oct). I did an offline code challenge that weekend. Feedback came back very soon, so my group onsite interviews were scheduled in mid Nov. Maybe because they weren't sure which one they should choose from the final candidates, I was invited to another onsite interview (last round) with the CTO right before Thanksgiving.
Then there was a whole week of silence. Meanwhile, I was interviewing with other companies and also waiting for other pending results. I got an offer and did a phone screen that Monday, and did another onsite for a very similar position that Tuesday. They finally followed up with a congratulations email that Tuesday during my interview (early Dec) after that silent week. We scheduled a conversation regarding offer details that Wednesday over the phone.
During the conversation, the recruiter went through the package (base, bonus, 401K, etc.) with me. The package was an average one to me, but I did prefer that position a lot back then. The recruiter asked me if I want to accept it right away or wait until the other results came out. Since I just got another offer two days ago and some pending interviews/final results, and he knew about my situation, I suggested a conversation with him in 9 days, when I can give him a solid answer. The recruiter didn't say anything about deadline, so I though I had 9 days to decide. Then I got a cold rejection email from him 6 days after the phone call.
I know people lose verbal offers all the time, and it doesn't count as a contract before anything is put down on paper. However, this kind of behavior is far beyond my bottom line. I can take any rejection, but no offer withdrawal. It happens often doesn't mean it's right. If he said explicitly during that conversation that I had to make my decision right away, I may consider to take it since I worked very hard to get that position. But he didn't. And he didn't say anything before sending me the final template rejection email.
I decided to write down this experience once things settle down on my end. Personally I won't bother to apply for any position at this company again. As I mentioned early, I actually really liked the team because all interviewers were very nice, so I thought it will be a great fit. However, because this poor decision was made, the whole company as a whole needs to take the consequences.
