Very, very long and windy process laden with technical glitches. Sent resume, cover letter, and several work samples through the online system, Smart Recruiters. Didn't hear back for a while (must have been at least a month), and get an email from a direct person asking for re-submission because the online system messed up on the applications. I re-submit my application and around the same time, another person(s) sends the same email about their online system issues, etc. So, it was apparent that something was off in terms of company communication and wisely using technology for the job app process. A bit later, I was surprised to get an email from an Editor at The Seattle Times. She wanted to schedule a talk with me, so we quickly schedule for a phone interview. We talk for at least an hour on a pretty wide range of questions, but overall straightforward and natural. We talked about my background and my body of reporting and writing work, and my favorite stories, etc. It was a pleasant, detailed conversation, in which she apparently took notes on. I was notified that I was out of the dozen people that they were talking to out of over 250 apps. I was also notified that the process would take "a while," so I keep that in mind during my job hunt and anticipation. About a month later, I still haven't heard anything and so I email her. Turns out she had gotten bronchitis, so that delayed the process even more, and she is way behind on initial interviews with other candidates. She again asks me to contact her if I have any questions, etc. She is polite, like she was during the long phone-call. Communication goes on and off over the few months, and then there is an automated email that she is away from the office (it was for around at least a week or two). When she gets back, I get a notification that she has checked out my LinkedIn page. Shortly after, within a few days from that, I get a very generic, automated email from basically her co-editor via Smart Recruiters and a HR woman, that was sent to all 250+ applicants saying the process took them "months" to "carefully consider" and then notifying of rejection. Not only was that email sent once, it was sent over 20 times, so my inbox was filled with again another major technical glitch from the company. Felt really lead on during the long process, and would have really appreciated if I even got a simple, straightforward email of my rejection at the end, considering how far in the process I went. I did also send a final email, thanking and also politely notifying them of the glitch, to no response.