I was an employee referral. First conversation was with HR. I deliberately asked if financial experience was required for the position since I did not have it. If it was, then we should not continue with the interviewing process. She said she would check with the hiring manager. Two days later, I received a call to schedule and interview with the hiring manager, her boss and another VP. The interviews went well and varied a lot. The first one was a great discussion, the second was a lecture where I just listened to someone who liked to hear himself talk and the third was with the hiring manager who would not stop saying how this position required financial experience. HA! So it was all for nothing. I was told I would be notified the following week of next steps. When I did not hear back I sent several emails ( I guess I like torturing myself since I was emailing to just get the decline.) Finally I received a phone call from the HR person who told me, get this, that they hired someone with financial experience. Funny thing though, the job was reposted about six weeks later.