From my experience with interviewing in SF, most companies don't have a Human Resources department. You're mostly dealing with people who are winging it. The

From my experience with interviewing in SF, most companies don't have a Human Resources department. You're mostly dealing with people who are winging it. The timing issues you described are rampant. In my opinion, that is because there is a tension between companies fearing that they will find no one to hire and trying to find the best candidate for their money. The textbook way to hire is to publish an ad and set a closing date for weeks later when you will start considering candidates. You interview everyone in an orderly fashion and make your decision at the end of the process. I think that some companies will argue that they can't wait for 2 weeks to collect resumes because the early applicants will get snatched up by another company. Though, in my opinion, I'd rather know how long I am waiting than to be subjected to delay tactics every few days.