I was invited to an “informal” screening chat which I was told I didn’t have to prepare for, so I assumed it was to check my experience and explain a bit more about the role. This was misleading and was a phone interview. I would recommend that the hiring staff (who it seems were outsourced and definitely not from the office in Basingstoke where I’d be working) are more open with the hiring process and what is expected from candidates at this stage. Not impressed and didn’t make me feel like I’d want to work for a company like that. Was also very cagey when I asked questions about the role, not encouraging.