The interview was very casual and low pressure - minimal traditional interview techniques employed. I was invited to interview, which I thought went well, if somewhat casual. I was called a few days later and told that although they had zero negative feedback, I wasn't being asked to a second interview. The interviewer told me I would get bored in the role; that I should be applying for his role, not this one; he couldn't understand why I was applying to a role so 'below me' and hinted that I must have some ulterior motive for doing so. I'm not sure what exactly - but I'd have much rather he had addressed any issue he had with me applying for the role directly, rather than skirting round the issue. During the interview (with 2 male employees) the interviewer also mentioned the CEO joining the company, and almost immediately taking maternity leave - and his opinions regarding this!! I can only assume, being of a certain age, that this was the ulterior motive he was referring to? That I was looking for a job 'below me' because I wanted an easy gig before taking maternity leave? I currently work as a SQL Data Analyst, and was applying to a Financial Controls Analyst role which was advertised as 'SQL heavy'?
Really unimpressed by this prejudice, wouldn't apply for a role with them again, and certainly wouldn't support them commercially again either.