Initial phone screen with the HR rep (super nice and very cheery) to determine fit, second phone interview with a senior researcher on more technical/experience related to the job. Both those rounds went well and the people on the phone were very professional and nice. Third round was an on-site panel interview with the same senior researcher, research team leader (via phone), and the company owner.
The senior research was very nice and tried to ask questions that related directly to the position, targeting things like how my previous experience would help them work towards their goals at the company. However, the owner constantly interrupted my responses, telling me to tell her, "why should I hire you?" and "what have you actually done?" instead of letting me actually answers any of the questions posed by the senior researcher, which would have both answered her questions and provided context to how my experience would best fit in the role. The team leader on the phone didn't chime in at any point during the actual interview.
Honestly, it felt as though the owner and team leader had already decided against giving me a chance before I even arrive in the office that day. The atmosphere in the room was quite hostile, mostly because of the owner. Her interview method could be best described as attacking, confrontational, and arrogant. She actually interrupted one last time to leave the room before the other senior researcher was finished trying to ask me questions. Even if I was able to impress her (probably impossible) and given an offer, I would have turned it down based purely on the way she treated me in that room. If there's no respect during the first meeting and interview, then I can't imagine she treats her regular employees much better - and that's not the type of environment I want to work in.
