My experience was a bit backwards from the normal process. The hiring manager reached out to me through LinkedIn and we set aside some time to talk through the role and my experience. After our conversation, he mentioned that a recruiter would reach out to set up a 20 minute chat (that I should have spoken with first). Needless to say, this is where the excitement and drive stopped. From the minute I opened my mouth, the recruiter did nothing but criticize every answer/sentence I gave, picking apart my words on how I "should" be answering questions in an extremely condescending manner. I understand that this may of been her way of being "helpful" but cutting interviewees down from the very start is not an effective way to want potential hires to come work for you. Next, I was asked two fairly illegal questions that HR folks should absolutely know not to ask. Her very first question was "How old are you?" Later on in the interview, a second waiting of "do you have kids?" was asked. When I responded "no", the response was "well when you have kids, you'll understand this concept better as you can apply it". I'm sorry but first, what business of yours is it whether I have kids or not and second, what makes you think I want kids or can have them? I felt these were just very inappropriate and insignificant matters. Finally, the nail in the coffin was when she asked me to call her back the next day to integrate our discussion and to recap our call. After telling me numerous times she would touch base with the hiring manager and get some time on the calendar for interviews, I agreed. I spent hours that night preparing, looking forward to the next day and making sure I had blocked time out of my day to take the call. I called her back at the aforementioned time. With no answer, I left a voicemail. I also followed up with an email later that day, letting her know I was available to have the call we agreed upon. I have not heard one word from her since (3 days ago). It was handled very rude and unprofessional. If you have no plans to move forward, do not tell me to prepare and call you back the next day, only to not respond to me in any way, shape or form. Do not tell me that you will be talking to the hiring manager about setting up interview times. At least have the common courtesy to tell me you will not be moving forward and good luck in my search. I'm a big girl, I can handle rejection. Just be upfront with me. This experience did not sit well with me and am really no longer interested in ever working for this company.