First step - phone screen with recruiter Second step - phone screen with hiring manager Third step - 1:1 with hiring manager and sharing a project plan on what I would do next in this role Fourth step - Skype call with one of the 3 co-founders Fifth step - 1:1 with CEO and hiring manager Sixth step - Consecutive 1:1 with CEO, hiring manager, 2 other co-founders Seventh step - Reference checks (They do backdoor reference checks i.e. speaking to those who have not been authorized by the candidate) I had shared with them that in order to work, I would be requiring a visa transfer, which from Day 1 they had agreed to do so. However, after 6 rounds of interview and numerous calls, the decision to not hire was taken solely because they were not ready for visa transfer. While I understand that it is difficult for startups to afford visas, what was surprising was the lack of honesty from step 1. Secondly the whole reference check episode stretched longer than expected. With every reference that they reached out, I would get a follow-up call about how they were impolite in those reference calls. Please be careful when you are sharing your list of references with them as it is important to maintain good relations with your current network than lose them for a future career prospect that may or may not work out