I have been applying for a long time! Thus, getting to work at the company is a long shot for external people. The only way an external person can get their foot in the door is by being a contractor.
My experiences:
Like any external person I applied on line and had a phone interview. Weeks later yes weeks (they take their precious time and never return your emails/phone calls) interviewed with the team. For this role, I was told that the hiring manager was in transition to move to a different department but was still responsible for filling the position. At the conclusion of my interview I felt great, I rocked it! Everyone on the team was friendly and impressed by my background and skill sets. I was anticipating to hear an offer. Man was I wrong!
Three weeks later, to my supersize the Hiring Manager emailed me and apologized that she was no longer responsible for filling the role. As time passed I was called by the New Hiring Manager who interviewed me again via phone. After the call she wanted me to come in for another in person interview. I was thinking wow this is a good sign. However, that opportunity never came because a week later I received an email from the manger who said that the role will is now closed due to" budget cuts".
Two weeks later the same role pops up on the career website. ("Budget cuts" hmmm) and I contact the new Hiring Manager again and try to inquire if I would still be considered being that the position was open again and my interview was still fresh.
I was told that "We have some internal candidates that will be looking at first". I could read in between the lines and knew my dream job was gone. Excuse after excuse really made me upset.
So for all of us "external candidates" good luck on getting a job here. Not only do you have to have a rock star resume, you have to be able to compete with internal folks who get 1st dibs on the job. Which leads me to think why do they open the positions to external people when we don't have a chance?!
Though, this experience was not the best I am still hopefully that one day I can break the "external label" and work for the company. If and whenever that happens I will fight for bringing fresh minded perspective, externally!