I had an HR interview, which went very well. I'm local and have very solid credentials, including an advanced degree. This interview was typical for HR, about 30 minutes long, it was pleasant and we focused on my general background and experience. As we were wrapping it up, the HR person told me I was going through to the next round but then said something odd, which was "if the hiring director wants to interview you, they will let you know." I've never had an interview where I've been put through by HR only to be still considered a "maybe" as to a more formal interview. Isn't it HR's job to screen the applicants and if put through, the applicant is then interviewed more formally? Three weeks later, I received an email stating I was no longer under consideration. From my perspective this was a waste of my time. This is a Director level position and HR should have had a better handle on what the hiring manager was looking for and simply send me a rejection email instead of wasting my time with the HR interview, then despite being told I was moving on to the next level, not having an interview with the hiring manager.