Summary: HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. I was verbally offered the job, only to have them string me along 1-2 weeks at a time and tell me they wouldn't following through almost 4 months later.
Details: Applied to a IPTL (integrated product team lead - E06) level role and a electrical engineering role (E04). Was initially contacted by E06 hiring manager who brought me in for an interview. I showed up two weeks before their Christmas shut down (El Segundo site) for an interview with 4 section level managers and their boss. Turns out the hiring managers for both E06 and E04 positions were present and they split the hour interview jumping between technical and project lead questions. This threw me a bit, but the interview was ok. Everyone was professional and the questions were mainly, "tell us about a time when...?" with a few technical questions as well.
I interviewed in a Tuesday and they call me back by friday to say I was not experienced enough for the E06 position, but they would like to offer me the E04 position. With one week to go before their 2 week christmas shutdown they noted I probably would have to start after break. Absolutely fine with me.
The Horrible part:
Jan 4, 2016 - I call to follow up. Manager tells me someone dropped the ball before break, it'll be another 2 weeks.
Jan 13, 2016 - I get email saying position is filled, but thanks for applying.
Jan 14, 2016 - I follow up with HR.
Jan 20, 2016 - I follow up with manager after getting no response from HR.
Jan 21, 2016 - Manager follows up with me, explaining the position was filed by an internal transfer. Let me know she was going to talk to her boss to determine how to proceed.
Jan 22, 2016 - HR contacts me letting me know they are opening up a new position in the system for me. They don't voluntarily tell me, but I when I push for a timeline I'm told position has to be posted 5 days and at least 3 interviews need to take place.
Jan 28, 2016 - They never told me the position had be posted (like they said they would). So two days after I spot the position myself I contact HR to make sure it's the one. They confirm it is and I apply.
Feb 5, 2016 - I ask for update and get HR response, "We starting movement on this position. i don't have a date for you."
Feb 22, 2016 - Giving them time to do the 3 interviews, I contact them a bit over 2 weeks later asking for an update...
Feb 26, 2016 - Response from HR "We got a little side tracked. We are going to move forward with putting an offer together for you very soon."
Mar 10, 2016 - After about two weeks I start calling and get no response.
Mar 15, 2016 - I email HR asking for an update.
Mar 15, 2016 - HR calls me back to inform me that he doesn't know how to tell me this, but that they can no longer offer me the position. He said he receive different instructions at this time. THE END. This is the last contact I had with the company.
Why this is Horrible?
They kept stringing me along... every time pushing it out just 1 or 2 weeks more. And at the very end Feb 26, 2016 they tell me "very soon." At some point between Feb 26 and Mar 15 when HR actually said "no" they decided they wouldn't hire me, BUT instead of promptly contacting me to inform me of that decision they waited for me to call and email several times before they got back to me. The final phone call was from HR without any good reason or explanation other than "i got different instructions." There wasn't a "change in business need" or any other explanation (in fact the position is still open months later).
Impact on me
Raytheon was my preferred choice, so when they offered me the job (verbally) I stopped pursuing other jobs. I was sure I was going to take the Raytheon job. Raytheon is literally a bike ride away from home and I was interested in what i learn prior and during the interview. It meshed well with my skills and goals. I was going to accept any reasonable/market salary for the position. When things didn't click by early Feb, I went back high gear searching the job market. I eventually got hired in late April to a position I applied to on Feb 12th. I missed they critical December/January hiring period for employers.
Obviously, I know I need to blame myself for stopping my job search. But things would've goon much better if Raytheon never verbally offered me a job and rejected me right away... or followed through and offered me the position like they said they would.
My Advice
No matter how solid you think their offer is... Please just keep on interviewing and job searching. This probably cost me 2+ months of extra unemployment since I had voluntarily left my job in Chicago to come to Los Angeles.
