The interview process went swimmingly. Met with the direct hiring manager, who asked reasonable, pertinent questions. The interview went well - he was a straight to the point. After this interview, I then met with his boss, then that boss's boss.....and then HR. Weird right? In total I've had 5 interviews for this one role with the same company. I say 5, because I'm including the preliminary interview from the recruiter.
In summary, there were 5 interviews - Recruiter, Hiring Manager, US CISO. Global CISO, then HR.
....why HR is last? Even the person I interviewed with couldn't provide a convincing reason.
Insight on why I got an offer, but declined:
1. I had been in the interview process for almost a month. I had completed 5 interviews for the same role, received a verbal offer from the Global CISO, but never an "on-paper" one. Part of the interview process was completed when I was unemployed. Explained this to all those involved, but the process was still a month.
2. Misleading information- I was submitted for 90k, but upon negotiating the rate with HR, they told me they could only do 81k, with a 10% bonus. You might be excited about the bonus, but what they're telling you is that you'll make a fraction of what you've asked for...and that you'll get the other portion if they deem your worthy, and the company is doing well. If the company isn't doing well but you're a star performer?
There goes the 10% of your salary. Not okay. I still never received an on-paper offer, but I was assured HR was working on the processing. I found a different job, it only took 2 interviews and I was given an offer in less than a week. It doesn't take that long irregardless of company size (the excuse I was always given).