Was recommended for this position and hadn't heard anything after applying for 2 weeks. Then, 17 days later, I got an email from HR at 220am asking for an interview at noon that day. Ended up meeting with her and a VP. Conversation was going alright [though, I'd describe HR, not the VP, as cross-examining me rather than interviewing me] until about halfway through they both admitted that the position was 'essentially filled'.
The bait-and-switch then fully came out as I was offered (potential) contract work for (potentially) early next year. Was told I would hear back from them "regardless of whether the contract work goes approved or not", but given their lack of coordination, I doubt the contract work will be approved, nor would I accept the work.
I was really upset and frustrated by the bait-and-switch, especially as jobseekers, we know how much an interview can be a ray of hope. After reading about the management team, the upper management team, and asking people at the museum (both guests and employees) what they thought of the place, it seems I really dodged a bullet.
On a final note, HR's tone was very off - even though an interview is formal, the language used suggested that LSC was walking through some divine realm, as opposed to a place of employment at a public institution.
