Applied via indeed.com and an executive assistant reached out to set up a phone screen. I spoke with my prospective manager and his manager. Both conversations were fairly standard and centered around past experience.
I got a good feeling and looked deeper into the company. The management team was composed of laureates from a major player in the healthcare space, so I was further impressed. As such, I happily accepted an invitation to come in for an in-person interview in the coming week.
From here on out, an otherwise pleasant process took a turn for the worse, and it was all down hill from here.
1) Nobody was present to let me into the office, and there was no response on the intercom for over 5 minutes. I stood there in full suit and tie, growing increasingly frustrated at the company's apparent lack of preparation.
2) Once a receptionist finally appeared, her demeanor and communication was far too casual - no concern or apology was given for my time standing in the vestibule.
3) All semblance of professionalism was lost when I was handed a clipboard with an over-copied employment application and asked to sit on an uncomfortable bench across from the reception desk and fill this out. It honestly felt as though I had come to interview for a retail or fast-food position. Demeaning.
I then met with the more senior manager who was not very easy to speak with. In contrast, the direct manager and VP were very articulate, helpful, and informative. Sadly, the company had all the hallmarks of a family business with uncertain processes and a slightly odd culture (large glass manager offices line the outside of the building while the staff sat in the smallest cubicles I have ever seen). The VP told me that "the company needs more smart people like you" and that "we'll talk soon."
I never heard from them again, but would not have purused the opportunity in any case. A potential mess waiting to happen, seemingly spurred by the odd culture.