I applied online and within 2 weeks was contacted by HR for a phone interview with hiring manager. The phone interview was scheduled asap. It went well with the manager informing me that she would like me to come in to interview in person. I'm out of town so she also said that it would be paid by the company. I interviewed with hr, hiring manager, co-workers, department leader(separately). The hr interview was good but I thought it was weird that the benefits and salary were not discussed. The hiring manager was nice and the co-workers were great. I though it went well. The following week I received an email that they would like to do a background check and check references. I was excited but I was really still nervous. Usually, these are checked with a contingent offer. And I noticed a few times that it was requested before an offer and it usually is a bad sign. And of course, after I hunt down the busiest of my professional references and give them my personal information, I get a reject letter. About 4 weeks after the interview, which is too long for a job I'm sure they had no intention of offering me. I'm sure that they just asked for references just to act like I wasn't discriminated against. Ive just been had! The worst part is now I have to go back to my references again for the next job.