The interview process consisted of the following stages:

• Recruiter phone screen to discuss the job compensation range.
• Technical phone screen.
• Loop interview, which comprised 5 interviews: 3 technical, 1 with the hiring manager, and 1 with a "bartender" (likely meaning a social/cultural fit interview).

During the initial call with the recruiter, we discussed the salary range. I indicated I was willing to accept an offer at the higher end of the range posted in the job description. The recruiter stated the maximum they could offer was the midpoint of the salary range. I found this peculiar, as it seemed like false advertisement of the salary range. I informed the recruiter that the minimum I could accept was X, to which they agreed. We then proceeded with the interview process.

After completing the interviews, we began negotiations. The recruiter then reneged on our initial phone screen discussion regarding my willingness to accept only the bare minimum amount of X. Furthermore, the recruiter contacted me late on a Friday evening and pressured me to accept a verbal offer. I explained that I needed time to consider and preferred to negotiate over email. I had to ask three times that I was not comfortable negotiating verbally but preferred to do so via email. The recruiter mentioned the hiring manager would not be pleased if I didn't accept the offer over the phone. I reiterated that I was uncomfortable accepting a verbal offer and preferred email communication.

Long story short, I submitted a counteroffer, but the recruiter did not budge. Therefore, I respectfully declined the offer.

The loop interview process with the team members was excellent. The hiring manager was also great.

It's important to ensure the recruiter agrees to your salary requirements before beginning the interview process. In hindsight, I should have obtained an email from the recruiter confirming their acceptance of my minimum salary requirements. However, at the time, I assumed Oracle negotiated offers, which may not be typical in today's market.

Technical and behavioral questions throughout the interview process.