The initial conversation with the recruiter went well—we both agreed I was a strong fit based on the job description. However, just 20 minutes into the second round, I was told I didn’t have enough experience and that the team didn’t have time to train anyone. The role was listed as requiring 1–3 years of experience with a $50K budget, which I matched. Had I progressed, the final round would’ve involved an unpaid assignment and a presentation to the hiring manager. Overall, this process felt like a waste of time that could’ve been avoided with clearer expectations in the job listing and more thorough vetting upfront.