I was contacted by the recruiter where an initial phone interview was scheduled with the HM. I waited for the HM to contact me for over 30 mins after which I sent an email to the recruiter. The hiring manager called me after 45 mins after the recruiter reminded her to call me. After the phone screening, I was invited for several rounds of phone interviews. I had several phone and in person conversations with the HM. I gave my reference info after taking a written test which was meant for sales and marketing team. The HM called my reference and was pleased after the conversation. Then I was asked by the HM to be added to my LinkedIn account where the HM could find common contacts. The HM reached out to one of the co-workers from previous employers without my consent for a character reference. This common contact was a personal friend from school and not a work reference as it was stated earlier by the HM. I reached out to a recruiter several weeks later as I was told I was the final candidate. The HM called me at home and left me a voice mail stating that they have decided to hire some one that the HM has worked with in the past and would not hire an outsider like me.