I went through a 5-step interview process that spanned several weeks: HR screening, technical interview with the tech lead and PM, a take-home assignment (retail management API, Angular frontend page, and a Jira-style ticket — with a full week's delay just to get Figma access), a review session with the CTO and PM, and finally a final interview with the co-founder — which was originally cancelled the same day it was scheduled, then rescheduled.
After the final step, I was promised feedback by Friday. Friday came with an email saying the process was 'stalled.' Mid-week the following week — nothing. I followed up Thursday. Monday I got an email about illness and delays. After another follow-up asking for a final answer so I could plan accordingly, I received a call saying they had continued interviewing other candidates and rejected everyone.
When I pushed for clarity on next steps, I was told the salary range for the position was €30–35k. I had clearly stated in the very first HR interview that my current compensation is €40k.
The frustration isn't just about rejection — it's about basic respect for candidates' time. If the budget doesn't match a candidate's stated expectations, that should be addressed in step one, not after a month-long process. Disorganized communication, repeated delays, and a lack of transparency made this a genuinely poor experience.
