Lengthy recruitment processes can often test a candidate’s patience. In a recent Reddit post, a user described going through four rounds of interviews, only to ultimately receive a rejection email.
The user shared the experience with a cautionary note: “No matter what they say in an interview, you don’t have the job until you get the offer.”
According to the post, the company was transitioning to a new system and was specifically seeking someone with experience that closely matched the candidate’s background.
Positive Signals After Every Round
After each interview stage, the company’s communication reportedly gave the impression that the position was almost secured. The final round was conducted by the company’s CEO, who mentioned that no applicant had previously progressed beyond the first round.
“Basically, the last interview was just the CEO talking about the position and what I would be doing. They even responded to my thank you email with high praise,” the post adds.
Feeling confident about landing the job, the candidate sent a thank-you email and received an appreciative response, further strengthening the belief that the offer was imminent.
Rejection Despite Strong Performance
Despite the encouraging feedback, a rejection email arrived shortly afterward. The recruiter explained that another candidate with slightly more experience had been chosen for the role.
“He said I interviewed well and I was the runner-up,” the post adds.
Reactions From Other Users
The story resonated with many online. One commenter shared, “I just saw a video of a girl who moved across the country just to then be laid off after three weeks.”
Another user wrote, “I showed up for my first day of work and was told that there was a mix-up.”