The HR was superb very professional and responsive and has a very good eye in selecting candidates for the right job.
I had the worst experience with the hiring manager. I believe it is due to the lack of experience in interview skills or just disinterested in interviewing the candidates. The tone was monotonous and completely disinterested in what the person had to say. I actually went to the reference check stage and thereafter was told that they decided to go with someone internal. If they wanted to do that in the first place then a reference check should not have been completed in the first place. It gives false hope and was a complete waste of time for everyone involved.
I ended up with a better role somewhere else and I would say it is a blessing in disguise.