I interviewed twice in Pleasanton on different days, for about an hour each time, rather than the more typical (and efficient, as well as candidate-respectful) structure of screen + hiring manager phone call + on-site panel. The office and process definitely felt about a decade behind those about an hour’s drive west around the Bay. The first interview (with the hiring manager) was pleasant and informative, if brief. The second was with the VP, who was a little patronizing and fixated on some of the more ‘commitment signaling’ details like candidates providing printed CVs in the absence of on-site recruitment staff (or concern for eco-friendlier options given the advent of digital documents quite some time before this, the year of our Lord 2019). The conversation was also a little focused on evangelizing this individual’s personal brand, including self-congratulation in “having done and still being involved in” every job under their purview, which I thought might be a bit of a potential micromanagement red flag. I appreciated their candor regarding the salary range for the position being about 20-30% below my target range/market rate in the Bay Area (and eventual TC I have since accepted elsewhere), but I did wonder if that discussion wouldn’t be better covered in the recruiter screen or follow-up discussions rather than by the departmental side of the hiring committee in a second on-site. I was asked to provide references to the recruiting team as an indication of a potential fit. I think the most disappointing aspect of the interview process is that I was completely ghosted by the hiring committee thereafter. No two-word confirmation of receipt of thank-you messages, nor responses to requests for status updates with the recruiting team despite previously being shown that there was a decent chance of progression. Radio silence to candidates who have provided hours of effort and PTO is unprofessional and well below basic standards of fulfilling the obligations of recruiting roles, or even of conventional courtesy.