Was interested in the role and had what seemed to be a very positive conversation with the recruiter. The culture sounded very positive as did opportunities for growth. Based on the job description and pay, I was certainly qualified for the role (maybe a tad overqualified), even a perfect fit, and was confident that even in this current market I would be a strong candidate. At the end of my interview with the recruiter I was assured that if I didn't hear back before the weekend that they weren't ghosting me, it just meant that this person hadn't yet heard back from the manager. They said they knew what that was like and wanted to be clear that wasn't how I was going to be treated. I expressed appreciation and looked forward to hearing about the next interview. Then I literally never heard another word. One thing I do wonder about is, I mentioned during our conversation that I've been making significantly more than the amount they were offering for this role, but I also told the recruiter it was such a perfect fit that I would love the chance to build up proper experience and move forward regardless. If that was the issue, though, it would have been nice to be informed. ...I was admittedly reluctant about commuting to Seattle (something I had not mentioned on our call), so between that and all the other, ultimately I decided not to follow up. I've been dropped countless times by recruiters and I get it...oftentimes they are overworked and being pulled in several different directions and it's hard to keep up with everyone. But the fact that I was specifically told that wouldn't happen made it particularly disappointing, especially since I was so interested in the work. A recommendation I would offer to everyone is this: tell every candidate that if they are being further considered, they will hear back by 'x' date. That way you don't have to follow up with every person and folks know when they are no longer in the running.

This process was pretty brutal...8 rounds of interviews. Before the 8th round, I was told that I had received the position and it was time to celebrate. Then after the 8th round, I was told like 2 weeks later that I was actually not going to be hired. It was emotionally challenging and confusing to have been told one thing and then told another. I found my communications with HR to be really challenging...for example, to tell me that I didn't get the role, 8 rounds in, I was emailed to schedule a call and then when I excitedly responded with my availability, I didn't hear back for 24 hours. Tons of start and stop that has left a bad taste in my mouth.