First of all, when I applied for the job I don’t think my skill fits but the major matches so I applied for it anyway. Got two screening calls about two weeks apart one from HR asking my salary expections, the other from a senior scientist on the team asking typical background info. The senior scientist just asked if I am willing to learn when it comes to the particular skill that I don’t have. (I said yes, duh) And then no news at all till they suddenly want me to do an on-site interview two months later. (I already found a job at that time but I went anyway because I am curious about their on-site) On-site is a day of bombarding you with typical BQ from all the different departments/level people, another month later they told me that sorry they want someone with relevant skills. I am not upset about not getting an offer but it’s a complete waste of my time and a very lengthy, unnecessary interview process. They could have just found someone more fit instead of wasting a bunch of my time and have about 10 people talking about how they’re willing to train someone without that specific skill

When I applied I had emailed the hiring manager too. I applied around November, and heard back from hiring manager in January. It went well. Recruiter called me 2 weeks after that. And I immediately had to fill out the candidate questionare after that. A week later, someone contacted me to plan the on site interviews. It was actually 4 weeks from then because of other scientist's availability. Onsite interview started with my research seminar. They asked a lot of questions, some a little difficult. But they were all very intelligent questions. Executive director and director of the department was present for the meeting. Then I had one on one meeting with senior scientists, principal scientists and the directors. Lunch with lab members and back to more one on one meetings. I enjoyed talking to them. They asked about some behavioral questions but mostly about my experiences and future plans. What are the skills I want to develop etc. at the end of the interview, the hiring manager asked me to send recommendations. And my advisor got a request a week later. And another week until I was selected (mostly because I followed up a lot because I received a competing offer).