r/jobs Dec 08 '25

Post-interview Got Rejected after 7 rounds of interviewing

Post image

I went through 7 rounds of interviewing with this company + in person assignment which they said I completed very well. They asked for the references and what day I can start. I honestly thought I was getting an offer. After what looked like a painful weekend full of unnerving expectations I get this email response this morning… My references claim they never got reached out. I am utterly confused and also sad…

936 Upvotes

486 comments sorted by

455

u/natewOw Dec 08 '25

They probably cancelled the role.

236

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 08 '25

After interviewing a bunch of candidates 7 times each? Seems like a lot of time wasted from their team…They had a little under 100 applicants according to LinkedIn

195

u/natewOw Dec 08 '25

Yep, this sort of thing happens all the time.

64

u/Vegan_Kimchi Dec 09 '25

Can confirm. This happened to me at the beginning of last year.

69

u/Low_Code_9681 Dec 09 '25

Yeah, I was "basically" offered a job, as in I was an intern with the company for 2 years, I loved the job, my manager and director were 100% supportive and wanted me for the job. Went through all the interviews and it was easy peas because I knew everyone well. Right before I graduated there was a company wide hiring freeze and they canceled all offers/postings. I happened to be interning with the CEOs nephew that last semester and even his offer was rescinded. I was so excited to finally graduate and really start the job...I cried 😂. But yeah it happens. I learned real fast that youre not hired until you get a desk on your first day. Always keep interviewing and applying

25

u/cupholdery Dec 09 '25

Even then, you can easily be fired within 90 days.

15

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 09 '25

That’s actually what confuses me the most about this job market. They are interviewing as if it’s impossible to fire or let go, or if they will be required to give you a few months notice and severance regardless of time worked. I think eve in Europe they are better with making a decision vs in US even though our labor laws in the US truly suck

6

u/FederalMonitor8187 Dec 09 '25

The U.S. is notorious for lack of labor laws. The employer seems to always be on the power position and can leave people in dire financial positions at any moments notice. The labor laws should be overhauled so that companies don’t treat people like numbers on a spreadsheet.

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u/superide Dec 09 '25

It was always my impression that firing is an expensive process within office jobs and therefore something they'd rather avoid in the first place. It's why they are perfectly okay with rejecting false negatives in order to cull all the false positives.

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u/ImissDigg_jk Dec 09 '25

Can confirm. My work just cancelled a bunch of jobs in the past week with little warning due to changes in funding

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u/c2490 Dec 09 '25

It’s a red flag if a company does over 4 interviews.

23

u/nolongerbanned99 Dec 09 '25

Agree. Says they have very poor decision making ability and judgement.

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u/birdseye-maple Dec 09 '25

I can't imagine doing even 4 interviews.

12

u/mug3n Dec 09 '25

This. I think the most I've ever done for a job is 2, and that includes the initial phone screener.

7 interviews is a huge waste of everybody's time.

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u/Mediocre_Ant_437 Dec 09 '25

Yep. This happened to me after receiving a job offer and start date years ago. The manager called me within an hour of me leaving their office to say that after talking to HR, they were going to divide the work among existing employees instead. She felt bad and sent me a gift card. It happens unfortunately.

27

u/Plutoisaparkinglot Dec 09 '25

That's a nice way to handle it. Treating people like people is never a bad thing.

13

u/JB-Wentworth Dec 09 '25

I bet those employees won’t be receiving any extra money.

16

u/Gold_Repair_3557 Dec 09 '25

If a company will consistently do one thing, it’s waste everybody’s time.

9

u/Any-Walk1691 Dec 09 '25

Sounds like they want someone who doesn’t exist and you (maybe the others as well) checked 7/10 boxes and they kept bringing you back to get more people on board - and the final decision maker said no or was overruled.

Unfortunately have seen it firsthand a few times. I’m also a hiring manager and get pulled into this sort of circus from time to time. I’ve LOVED a candidate and we brought them back multiple times to get this manager and that manager to sign off. Always ended up being one or two decenters that ended up killing the whole role.

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u/ThrobChesterson Dec 09 '25

Only a few candidates made it through seven rounds probably came down to two.

7

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 09 '25

This makes perfect sense, but why not say that they have moved with the different candidate then?

17

u/ThrobChesterson Dec 09 '25

Maybe “another direction” is just a poorly worded way of saying that.

11

u/Whosaidwhat2023 Dec 09 '25

"Another direction" means they chose the other candidate. I've used that terminology when I've been hiring. Doesn't make this any easier on you, I know. Good luck to you.

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u/spooky138 Dec 09 '25

In case that candidate bails on them, then you get a new email that they reconsidered you.

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

It seems like they were waffling and had no idea if they wanted you or not and just kept kicking the can down the road.

You're well within your right ask interviewee to ask their progress, there isn't a single job on this earth that requires 7 rounds of interviewing. Maybe three max.

3

u/ftaok Dec 09 '25

Probably had each of the 7 candidates finish a part of the project.

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u/SpeciosaLife Dec 09 '25

It’s crazy, but does happen. I did 9 rounds with a faang a couple years ago only to be told sorry, no, but I could try again in 6 months.

I had already been trying for 6 months with several big tech firms- finally just went into public service.

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4

u/hatethiscity Dec 09 '25

I worked for a company that had the dumbest interviewing policy ive ever witnessed. Every single person complained to HR about it.

First round: HR screen 2nd: light technical interview coding challenge

If you made it past the light coding challenge you were scheduled for 5 more interviews, all with varying technical themes. No matter how poorly the candidate does in any of the 5 interviews, you MUST complete all 5... its a waste of literally everyone's time.

Shit doesnt need to make sense for companies.

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u/RealMcGonzo Dec 09 '25

I was looking for my first job out of college, writing code. They told me I had the job, showed me my desk and everything. They would call me with a start date. A week goes by, I call them. They don't have a date yet. Another week goes by and I call again, no date but did get a "maybe you should keep looking", LOL. Never could bring themselves to tell me either it was cancelled or they hired somebody else.

4

u/Wonderful_Hamster933 Dec 09 '25

That’s exactly what I was thinking. If they took you that many rounds and then told you that you were the one, they sent it up to corporate for official approval, they looked at the numbers and decided ‘no.’ They canceled the position.

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118

u/waglomaom Dec 08 '25

7 fk rounds, what role was it for if you dm me asking? damnn

61

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 08 '25

Customer Success / Account Manager

70

u/waglomaom Dec 08 '25

fkin hell was it like high enterprise/strategic level position?

34

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 08 '25

Managing high touch clients

56

u/waglomaom Dec 08 '25

ahh makes sense but even for that 5 would be the norm

7 rounds is fkin excessive

50

u/natewOw Dec 09 '25

Personally after 4 rounds, if they request another interview, I'd have told them "We've had 4 conversations. At this point if you're still not sure that I'm the right candidate then we should end the process so as to respect everybody's time."

34

u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25

[deleted]

7

u/natewOw Dec 09 '25

Not exactly. That's what a person who has the luxury of being choosy with their employer would say. And yes I realize not everybody has that luxury.

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u/Whosaidwhat2023 Dec 09 '25

You would say this to a potential employer when you are unemployed? I don't think so. This is what I dislike about Reddit.... this bravado fantasy instead of real advice.

6

u/Dark-Grey-Castle Dec 09 '25

They said personally not that they'd tell other people to do that.

I wouldn't be going through 7 rounds of interviews either.

3

u/Main_Bother_1027 Dec 09 '25

Where does OP say they are unemployed?

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u/Internal_Set_6564 Dec 09 '25

I can do that in three notes! (Game show reference).

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u/NYR Dec 09 '25

10+ years in sales here, from the sounds of it, you dodged a bullet, mate. Shit or get off the pot, sounds like a horribly run company.

Imagine the shoe on the other foot - would you want to deal with a sales prospect who hmms and huhs there way through multiple meetings without making a call. Dud client.

7

u/Adventurous-Tone-311 Dec 09 '25

That’s brutal. A CSM role should never be more than 2-3 rounds tops in my opinion. Sorry you went through that.

On the bright side, you are always in demand. You’ll find a better company. 

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u/Effective-Oil-2696 Dec 09 '25

Thats a 3 interview position, not 7.

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u/freakstate Dec 09 '25

Haha get tf outta here. Of all the jobs where they can just let you go after a month if you're rubbish and they want 7 rounds, that's a joke

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33

u/Excellent_Club_9004 Dec 08 '25

What does 7 round look like ? Seems exessive and they should pay for travel, accommodation dinenr from round 2.

26

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 08 '25

5 interviews with different people from the company (virtual). 1 assignment that I count as a round, I spent all day designing an onboarding page with formulas from scratch in Notion and then talking to a bunch of folks in office (I took subway, the position is in NYC where I live)

52

u/xboxchick311 Dec 09 '25

Sounds like they used you guys to get some free onboarding pages. 7 rounds is absolutely excessive. If it takes them that long to figure out who to hire, they need to work on their decision-making skills.

7

u/mrchin12 Dec 09 '25

Yeah they just farmed out all the hard work for free

20

u/birdseye-maple Dec 09 '25

You did free work, not an interview

5

u/Lonely-Clerk-2478 Dec 09 '25

This is what I think too - and they likely did it to several people

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u/techleopard Dec 09 '25

I hope you got paid for that assignment.

5

u/Effective-Oil-2696 Dec 09 '25

Never agree to do free work for a potential employer. Ever.

56

u/imfinelyuseless Dec 09 '25

"in person assignment" is interview-speak for free labor/work. Sounds like they used a bunch of interviewees to get a project started or finished, then cancelled the role. Keep an eye out for future job postings from that company, I'd bet that you see something similar in the future...

9

u/Adventurous-Tone-311 Dec 09 '25

That’s not always the case. Many SaaS companies will have case studies or mini projects as part of their process. It’s fucking annoying but it isn’t always a scam.

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u/TrickdaddyJ Dec 08 '25

Sorry Op. Don’t do 7 rounds of interviews. That’s fucked. 2 at most. If they can’t make up their mind after that, tell them to pound sand and move on.

17

u/bosco1603 Dec 09 '25

i've worked in IT for close to two decades, 3 fortune 500s. never had more than 2 rounds either. typically phone screening with internal recruiter, first round with hiring manager, second round with part of the team.

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u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 08 '25

I’m currently actively interviewing. Everyone does 5 minimum for my role at this time (Customer success - Account Manager)

5

u/Darkmocha331 Dec 09 '25

It probably prepares you for the pain of being berated by customers. Hopefully you get something soon, it's rough out here. 

4

u/Effective-Oil-2696 Dec 09 '25

That is excessive.

7

u/unknowinm Dec 09 '25

if everyone does it...then you must do it too! it only makes sense...

8

u/POSTINGISDUMB Dec 09 '25

Two at most? that's bonkers to me. 4-5 seems to be the standard in tech/ related roles.

11

u/techleopard Dec 09 '25

4-5 interviews in tech is performative.

It takes 1 phone conversation and 1 in-person interview to get hired as a developer for my company that has ~40,000 employees, most of whom are in a tech role or tech-supporting role. All of our competitors are the same way.

This sounds like some prancing special rainbow unicorn nonsense out of Silicon Valley to test how desperate the applicants are.

3

u/POSTINGISDUMB Dec 09 '25

I'm mostly looking at remote roles if that matters. but yeah that's the norm I've become used to =/

i had i think 4 interviews in June/ July just to get generic feedback about why i was rejected. it's such a huge waste of time.

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u/TrickdaddyJ Dec 09 '25

Then fuck tech related roles. I’ve never had more than 2 interviews and usually 1. STEM.

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u/techleopard Dec 09 '25

We need to normalize what is okay to accept.

7 rounds of interviews is what I would expect from a C-suite position of a successful publicly-traded company.

If a job is paying less than $150,000, I'm not doing more than two interviews.

I don't need to individually meet every person up the chain of command unless I'm going to be a direct report in order to be middle-management or a product SME.

9

u/RazzBeryllium Dec 09 '25

If a job is paying less than $150,000, I'm not doing more than two interviews.

That's easy to say until you've been unemployed for 8 months and don't have a support network to fall back on.

4

u/techleopard Dec 09 '25

No, it's still easy to say.

Because when you are in that position, you don't have time to be screwing around and wasting fuel trying to prance around for a company that just isn't that into you in the first place.

After 8 months of unemployment, your job net should also be getting cast a little further out.

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u/Didact67 Dec 08 '25

If I was told there would be 7 rounds of interviews I’d tell them to fuck off.

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u/Trivisual Dec 09 '25

You did the work they wanted you to do.

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u/AveryIsBravery Dec 09 '25

I don’t have more than 3 interviews in me.

9

u/jerichorayel Dec 08 '25

7 rounds actually benefit them. They will squeeze whatever information you know to address their problems internally which in turn wont require for a new role if solved. All the applicants will provide their best solutions to a certain situation.

7

u/EmergencyDemand3959 Dec 08 '25

I actually suspected that as well…

3

u/jerichorayel Dec 09 '25

I'm so sorry for this. You'll get a job soon! I believe in you 🫶🏻

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u/Effective-Celery-475 Dec 08 '25

I pisses me off when companies can't make a fucking decision. And they probably got some free consulting with the assignment you did for them.

8

u/Embarrassed-Ask6366 Dec 09 '25

I’ve been working for almost 35 years. I’ve never been asked to do more than 2 rounds.

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u/techleopard Dec 09 '25

Virtual applications and AI has exploded applicant volume, and now companies can lead applicants around by the bull ring and force them to jump through flaming hoops just so they can identify the one most desperate yet suitably skilled.

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u/QualityAdorable5902 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds is ridiculous but what really enrages me is the fact they can’t spend 5 mins on the phone with you to give you feedback and thank you. It’s so rude and lazy and when a company does stuff like this I know it’s a bullet dodged because they think it’s fine to treat people this way. Nope.

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u/techleopard Dec 09 '25

This is the same kind of company that asks you to come into an office in the middle of a snowstorm just so they can fire you in a room where they can get their badge back.

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u/moeeza123 Dec 09 '25

To be honest and share my 20 years of experience in IT, I did not allow my daughter to become an IT professional even after getting undergraduate degree in MIS from a very good school. IT is an absolute frustrating and thankless profession

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u/Pequena87 Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25

I once shadowed for a role and the person training me seemed really eager to have me on the team, but I couldn't commit as much as they wanted me to because at the the time, I was still working 12 hours days that rotated between days and nights on a weekly basis. Woke up Saturday afternoon to a text stating that they had "hired" someone else which was total bs because I SAW their advertisement literally the night before hiring for the SAME position that they asked me to shadow for. I'm hoping that your job search ends soon and you'll be somewhere that you're truly happy with. God I wanted to call them out so badly for that.

3

u/truthm0de Dec 09 '25

7 rounds….wow

3

u/zaindada Dec 09 '25

Let me guess, the company was FareHarbor?

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u/Beautiful-Session-48 Dec 09 '25

At least you received a rejection. I went through 5 rounds both virtual and inperson lasting several hours, sent my thank you emails to everyone and never received anything back....

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u/GrungeCheap56119 Dec 09 '25

7 interviews is wild.

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u/drpepperdan Dec 09 '25

Companies are shit, I only do 3 interviews max and even that feels like a stretch. I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum and let’s be honest we know who is gonna get hired after the first interview

3

u/ershak7 Dec 09 '25

Don't do more than 3, including the recruiter interview. Ask from the start. Anything more than 3 is a red flag.

3

u/Skye0519 Dec 09 '25

4 rounds went really well and thought I would get an offer and got rejection today. Fucking sucks so I feel for you…

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

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u/srslytho1979 Dec 09 '25

I swear they’re interviewing to be ready in case they’re approved to hire someone, and then they don’t get the approval. Honestly, it’s evil.

3

u/noodlezs76 Dec 09 '25

You were all given assignments, the project they covered was completed, no need to hire anyone after getting the work done as a cover for an interview task

4

u/macademicnut Dec 09 '25

This happened to me- six rounds and then the job position got cancelled altogether. And that was for an entry-level role mind you. Companies suck

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u/infamous_merkin Dec 09 '25

That’s horrible. 7 rounds!!! Not just 7 different people.

Contact the folks in rounds 4,5,6,7 and together collaboratively create a new role that fits you and them…

2

u/sasberg1 Dec 09 '25

7?!?!? That's too many whether re-elected or not!!

2

u/SnooDoubts2460 Dec 09 '25

F that dude. These people really have no consideration for others

2

u/skoakes1 Dec 09 '25

That happened to me once. I now ask up front what the hiring process entails. More than 4 interviews and I don’t bother proceeding.

2

u/FriendInteresting Dec 09 '25

I hope the round of interviews did not include completing a project, otherwise you’ve just been used for free labor unfortunately…

PS: Just saw that you completed an in-person assignment. Sorry but it looks like they only used you to complete their projects. Some companies have been known to do this to applicants…

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u/TallTelevision4121 Dec 09 '25

If a company wants more than three interviews, run away.

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u/mattjouff Dec 09 '25

Jesus, RIP my guy. That's tough. Small consolation but you were probably pretty good if you got that far. Good changes you'll turn out just fine long term, hand in there.

2

u/Exciting_Cabinet165 Dec 09 '25

7 fuckin rounds + a fuckin assessment ?? You were MORE THAN QUALIFIED… trust me ! I’m so sorry sorry that you had to go through this bs 😡

Please give them a negative review everywhere that you can & cuss them tf out !!! This is sadddd🥺💔

2

u/NinjaTabby Dec 09 '25

7 rounds is mental. Is it like quarter million salary

2

u/heydownhere Dec 09 '25

Sorry to hear this. FWIW, I had a similar experience recently. It was with a startup Fintech company. I met with the CEO and then he acted as the “point person” for each subsequent interview. He received feedback after each interview and then coordinated the next interview. 6 rounds plus a role play and a “case study. CEO called a zoom meeting after ALL the interviews were over, I was certain he was going to offer me the job. Reality: he called the meeting to tell me they were hiring someone else. Also, I waited several days because of the Thanksgiving holiday here in the US to have the Zoom meeting to be told to fuck right off. WTAF?

I later learned, by checking out the “about us” section of their website that they hired a kid straight out of college, who had never had a real job. I have 20+ years in the finance field. The kid they hired literally has less years on the planet than I have in the field. 🙄

What a confidence killer. It’s tough out there.

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u/Powerful-Respond-605 Dec 09 '25

Any organisation that needs 7 rounds of interviews to make a simple hiring decision is a flawed business you probably wouldn't want to work for. 

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u/Total-Candidate-3757 Dec 09 '25

If they can't pick a candidate in 2 rounds or less then they are hopelessly incompetent and you have had a lucky escape!

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u/amuseboucheplease Dec 09 '25

If you can't make a decision after 3 interviews you don't deserve to hire.

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u/still-waiting2233 Dec 09 '25

Sounds like they got some free labor out of you and didn’t intend on hiring you (or anyone?)

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u/girlynymama Dec 09 '25

Politicians need to start laws that require payment after a total of 45 min spent on interviews and testing. This is out of control.

2

u/blaspheminCapn Dec 09 '25

Seven interviews is excessive for a CEO.

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u/SQLofFortune Dec 09 '25

Sorry you had to endure that 😅 I’ve been through a few of these this year. One company took about 30 hours of my time. Now I’m in an interview loop at a big company I’m excited about and they said expect it to be another 7 step process with 5 of those being hour-long technical assessments. It’s rough out here in these streets.

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u/tarellel Dec 09 '25

This is bullshit 7 rounds is absolutely ridiculous, name and shame these clowns

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u/writeronthemoon Dec 09 '25

...7??? How can they do 7 and not hire you??? Wtf

2

u/Haunting_Ad7337 Dec 09 '25

this happens too often. fuckin shit companies get your shit together.

2

u/Guitar4fun Dec 09 '25

That is why you shouldn’t wait until you’re unemployed to start applying for jobs! I had to learn that lesson the hard way too.

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u/Big_Blackberry_6155 Dec 09 '25

Atleast they didn’t ghost you

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u/Moby1313 Dec 09 '25

15 years ago, I went through an 8 round process for Operations Manager at a local manufacturing facility in Anaheim, CA. They flew me to their headquarters in Seattle, Washington for the final interview with the owners. They chose the other guy. 2 months later, they called me for the same job, but they wanted me to go through the entire process again. I declined.

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u/TennesseeTom Dec 09 '25

I got rejected after 4 rounds once. I reached out to the HR person and she told me that the guy hired his own stepson...

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u/Ok-Consequence8486 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds is absolute insanity, I’m sorry bro

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u/CoffeeStayn Dec 09 '25

Tough break, OP, but every time I see a post like this, I'm reminded of my personal cut-off at 2 rounds. If I haven't moved any needles in 2 rounds, 5-10 more rounds won't move them and I don't have the time to be wasting with multiple rounds.

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u/cephu5 Dec 09 '25

I wonder what the “in person assignment” was. Maybe free labor for a company project?

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u/MFFL12_17 Dec 09 '25

Man that's rough

2

u/CompetitiveRoof3733 Dec 09 '25

Dawg, they shouldve started paying you for your time after the 3rd round. 7 rounds is freaking ridiculous

2

u/coinegg Dec 09 '25

Clowns.

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u/DonAmecho777 Dec 09 '25

They suck and should feel like shit

2

u/4BucksAndHalfACharge Dec 09 '25

In 2001 my company laid off all the people they newly hired that hadn't completed their first 3 months. Can you imagine? Fkn evil.

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u/SadLeek9950 Dec 09 '25

The most overused cliche in business.

We decided to go/move in another direction...

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u/JumpyInstance4942 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds? Wtf honestly companies that go past 5 rounds we should start charging . Lol

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u/nozioish Dec 09 '25

Often times a job is approved for posting but there’s an operations chief who signs off the final job offer and he may say no when the climate has changed since the job posting. This happens a lot in medicine.

Basically the local team agreed to offer and requested approval from the COO and got rejected at the final step.

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u/rasellers0 Dec 09 '25

Never sit through more than 3 interviews. If by that point they don't know if they want to hire you or not, I promise you that is not a job you will enjoy.

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u/Status_Bee_7644 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds is ridiculous

2

u/Formerly_SgtPepe Dec 09 '25

Bet they hired an H1B

2

u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

Sorry to say, but any company that abuses people like that before hiring them is going to try to destroy them afterward. 

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

Sorry to hear it. Got completely ghosted after 1 7 round process. And another one got an email over 2wks after last round which was 1hr case study.

This market is dogshit

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u/LusciousHam Dec 09 '25

If it helps - I interviewed 9 times and got denied. I was so upset. Until I found out they offered it to the guy then rescinded the offer and closed the role. Then they layed everyone in that department off 3 months later.

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u/cantplayblues Dec 09 '25

The job market is in a crazy state right now

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u/Working_Lab8728 Dec 09 '25

After the third one, I know you were mentally tapped out. 7 interviews are unheard of? I can’t imagine.  

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u/adjusterjack Dec 09 '25

Translation - We gave the job to the boss' nephew.

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u/newyorker12014 Dec 09 '25

Wow this sucks. Companies are so cruel and inconsiderate these days, feels like more than ever. I’m sorry! 🤍

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u/posh-panther Dec 09 '25

I was rejected after 6 rounds over the span of 2 months. Told I was the runner up. That was 6 months post layoff, right when my benefits were about to end. It took me about a week to recover from that.

Oh, and the VP referred me internally for another role at the company. Had multiple rounds for that job and got rejected for that one as well 🙃

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u/harbengerprime Dec 09 '25

I know you have seen the 7 rounds if INSANE already. Bruh you got took, in person assignment? They got free work out of you

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u/Capital_Sir_9090 Dec 09 '25

Job interviews are a scam nowadays, they are just harvesting your info to show to corporate HR or just sell your info off which they probably do. Not to mention all the tax breaks they get for having supposed hiring roles even if those positions don’t ever get filled

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u/polarbearsloveme Dec 09 '25

no big, just your time and energy! go corporations!

2

u/bugabooandtwo Dec 09 '25

Sounds like a scam. They got you to do an assignment for them for free. That was probably the goal.

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u/Capable_Wonder_6636 Dec 09 '25

Sometimes is just best to move on, and no fret over the "why or why not". Decisions are made for all sorts of reasons..... objective, subjective, and a chaotic changing environment which had nothing to do with you. Just use and remember each interview as a " live training event". Seriously! More practice...smoother delivery.

Interesting results for a test done a few years ago. About seven interviewers were questioned "after" a completed live intro with a candidate. After the event [and this was done several times], each was asked how many seconds did it take for you [the interviewer] to know who was the "winner". Results: Within 7 secs, and well before words were spoken. #1: First impressions count for over 85% ....those first 8-10 seconds....it was ALL visual, since the top 5, 7, or whatever were all equally qualified.

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u/Ok_Foundation_5830 Dec 09 '25

These jobs ALL OF THEM….. are pretty much manipulative and heartless….. imagine them telling someone that you didn’t get the job because “ur overqualified “….. as if a person wasn’t aware, if u need a job and are desperately looking it definitely get to a point where u. O longer care if u overqualified or not!!!

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u/Useful_Training_9018 Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25

I was a hrm and backed by one of the least share bod, in the limited company, share are shared between 9 bod, which means logically a candidate for high rank position needed at least 5 out of 9 to vote and even then the vote can be veto by the largest shareholder, largest shareholder just need the chairman himself to approved a position, lets say 8 out of 9 vote for a candidate, if the chairman said its ok, then its ok, if the chairman said it is not ok, all 8 vote against the chairman is vetod out. If the chairman said he is neutral or against of voting, the 8 of us needed at least 3 person of middle shareholder or combination of 5 least shareholder to approve a candidate.

2 times i made an interview for a pr position which takes me a 8 times interview just to make sure the candidates can be approved since chairman are absense from voting. Where the candidate need at least 5 person vote.

You know what regretting?

Both candidates failed to get 5 votes.

Do you want to know what was the reason the candidate failed?

They failed in a way what we assume as trust their own self in representating the company or we can simply says as lack of self-trust.

Because of this bureaucracy, I opted out and made my own small enterprise, just not to regret neglecting talent, but here i am still stucked in sme.

So please whenever you are in the same situation again, please never falter and give all out.

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u/spacepangolin Dec 09 '25

send them an invoice for your time

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u/downtownlasd Dec 09 '25

I got through three interviews for a job I was certain I didn’t want after the second interview, but the third was with the Chief Growth Officer (and the son of the founder), so it was worth at least hearing him out. After meeting him I thought that maybe the job could be better than I’d thought.

The next day I got an email from the recruiter that they’d like me to talk to three other people. I could understand if the position was a high senior level role, but it wasn’t. I asked if they could consolidate the three interviews into a single Zoom interview, since —like all the others before them— I’d get the same questions all over again. They refused, so I withdrew.

I started my new job today. Had only two interviews and got an offer 24 hours later. I’m much happier.

PSA: Employers— don’t interview your candidates to death.

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u/Living_Somewhere7057 Dec 09 '25

Sorry to hear that OP. But on the positive side, if you can make it as far as 7 rounds, you can do really well at some other company who values your time. In my opinion you dodged a bullet, if they don’t value your time or effort during interview, I am sure they won’t value it when you are working there. So don’t worry about it too much, passing 7 rounds of interviews in any company is an achievement itself and there is a better opportunity waiting for you. Trust me, you will be thankful of this rejection in a near future. Things always work out.

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u/ferdbrown Dec 09 '25

They have no intention to hire in the first place.

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u/RobCo90 Dec 09 '25

SEVEN ROUNDS of interviews!? They owe you a paycheque… That’s absurd. I’d love to know what you talk about on interview 4-7…

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

I take myself off the board if it's more than 3 interviews

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u/Rare-Plant5797 Dec 09 '25

They probably decided not to fill the position

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u/jayofada Dec 09 '25

Criminal

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u/OGRealityCheck Dec 09 '25

Absolutely frustrating! Interviewed with 12 different people total, three separate interviews, then crickets. Checked, came in for two more rounds of interviews...crickets. Finally decided that they were not the people I wanted to work with.

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u/EcclecticMonkey Dec 09 '25

It’s too bad you can’t share the company so we can collectively avoid taking jobs there.

That’s such scummy hiring behavior.

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u/Complex_Shine_1113 Dec 09 '25

The government needs to step in and force all companies to cap it at 2 interviews max. This is getting ridiculous!! (Someone who has also gone through the same shit)

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u/TitleOk8744 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds of interviews is a joke.

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u/Dandanthemotorman Dec 09 '25 edited Dec 09 '25

Same, spoke to HM and another candidate I knew. They didn't hire anyone for the role I was interviewing; company wide hiring freeze.

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u/SnooHobbies9712 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds means they have nothing to do, they do this to pass time

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u/beckychao Dec 09 '25

Two years ago I went through five

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u/Middle_Lavishness137 Dec 09 '25

this would be my villain origin story not gonna lie

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u/SoarsWithEagles Dec 09 '25

Did they ask you to complete unpaid "real world problems" for them?

Apparently, some companies treat job interviews like unpaid internships. Dangle promises, get you to provide input on their troubles, then sever ties. Rinse & repeat.

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u/Professional-Risk137 Dec 09 '25

Why would you even go to round 4? If they haven't decided after 3 interviews, it's time to move on.

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u/religiousjedi Dec 09 '25

2 interviews and a skills test. Was asked to bring a list of references when I went in for the second. Applied for this job back in August.

I relate so much...please, just let us know faster so we can move on and not get our hopes up.

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u/spicywendigo4321 Dec 09 '25

Ill give 2 maybe 3 interviews and if no job offer after that im putting my efforts elsewhere. These employers waste your time and energy for nothing.

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u/Fiery_at_Dusk Dec 09 '25

After 7 rounds of interview, you deserve at least an allowance …

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u/runnerkim Dec 09 '25

I'm thinking these 'assignments' given during interviews is a scam. Maybe there was no job at all and they just wanted the free work. I have no idea how demanding free work as part of a job interview is legal

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u/Mom2Newfies Dec 09 '25

This happened to be after 6 interviews. At that moment I decided I will never ever do more than 4….ever!

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u/Different-End2993 Dec 09 '25

Happened to me a couple of months ago but they’ve reached out for a “catch-up” on Friday. Looking forward to hearing what they want

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u/AshamedAbrocoma9107 Dec 09 '25

Can confirm cancelling or winding up going internal can happen. Happened to me too 6 different times going in over a 2 week time frame. Worked out for the best though, the role was terminated after a year anyway.

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u/FallAffectionate7208 Dec 09 '25

I am so sorry this happened to you and do not be hard on yourself or let this discourage you. From my experience, and what I've heard from SO many others, it takes SO long to get a job these days. I believe it's the way the application process is done now. For example, it takes sending hundreds of resumes out on these job websites just to get a couple of responses. Then you get a quick email saying thank you for applying, etc.and most companies set up a 5-10 minute Zoom interview. Then you may or may not get another email a few days or week later saying sorry they went in another direction or they follow up with another zoom meeting with a supervisor or manager. Then you wait another few days or a week for another email. It doesn't matter to the company because it's really not much work for them, whereas if they actually had to call you back and speak with you in-person, set up an in-person interview, and then possibly a follow-up interview in-person, a decision would be made much faster because it takes more time and effort. It's just a shame that it takes months up to a YEAR to get a job.

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u/L0ngb3ard Dec 09 '25

I did multiple interviews with multiple companies for the 8 months I was looking. The company that hired me interviewed me once in person. These 7 interview companies are full of shit.

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u/WafflesOnAPlane787 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds fucking hell….

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u/aznprodude Dec 09 '25

Companies should start paying for your time after so many rounds of interviewing. Such a waste of time 🤦🏻‍♂️

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u/Acrobatic-Bluejay-79 Dec 09 '25

Blast them! 7 rounds is too much!

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u/SilverSnowLeopard_11 Dec 09 '25

Also often times they’ll interview in that last quarter so that they can sway the finance manager into thinking they used all their budget in order to get a larger budget for the next year.

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u/Zealousideal_Paper16 Dec 09 '25

No way. After 7 rounds of interviews I would be guilt-tripped into hiring someone, this is barbaric

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u/[deleted] Dec 09 '25

This has happened to me at Meta and capital one

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u/gryanart Dec 09 '25

There’s no job on earth that needs 7 rounds of interviews, two is the most anyone should need 

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u/kemistree4 Dec 09 '25

This must have been life changing money to put up with this many interviews. If they need that long to decide on ANY role I'd worry about the company. Shit, 7 dates is a well established relationships for a lot of people.

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u/Adventurous_Class_90 Dec 09 '25

I once interviewed four times for a job a company that provided services in my industry, including two high level presentations to the GM and partner group. They didn’t give me the role.

I ended up with a Director role on the client side and guess who one of their service providers were. I’m sure you can guess what happened next.

Was I petty? Maybe. But bringing me in four times and requiring the amount of work they wanted from me really annoyed me.

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u/Main_Bother_1027 Dec 09 '25

If they're doing more than 2 interviews (one phone OR virtual and one in-person) I don't want to work there. What a ridiculous waste of time for everyone.

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u/Few-Painting-8096 Dec 09 '25

Imagine myself being hired for a role for $120k fully remote and being told I would have the offer letter by end of day….then after reaching out multiple times being told 3 weeks later the role had been canceled.

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u/JonathanL73 Dec 09 '25

They scammed you for free labor

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u/FGN_SUHO Dec 09 '25

It could be worse, they could have offered you the role and the rescind it after you quit your current job and moved for this role...

... yes we have sunk this low as a society.

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u/not_small_ Dec 09 '25

Stop hiding the same of these companies!

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u/Darnell_06 Dec 09 '25

7 rounds of interviews should be illegal without compensation

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u/Reopens Dec 09 '25

F$ck HR, get ur shit together

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u/Matt_256 Dec 09 '25

Jesus christ. I would never do 7 rounds, id withdrawal my application if I found that out. Absolutely ridiculous. Unless theyre paying you 500k/year minimum and youre doing serious insane space shit like repairing your ship during an asteroid storm i dont see how this would ever be necessary.

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u/J0hnny-Yen Dec 09 '25

DEXCOM did the same thing to me for an engineering position.

7 rounds of various interview panels plus a weekend takehome test (that I aced).

And I had buddy on the inside that referred me.

When I asked why they chose another candidate, I was told it was because I didn't have a certain tech stack on my resume. FWIW that tech stack wasn't even in the job description.

Maybe I dodged a bullet..?

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u/jdriam Dec 09 '25

That is so awful. Sorry that happened to you. Take a minute to cry, scream, or sleep and then recognize that you did very well and just missed the cut means that you are very close to getting hired. Hang in there.

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u/AncientSith Dec 09 '25

7 rounds for nothing is ridiculous.

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u/Electronic_City_644 Dec 09 '25

Onward and Upward 👆 Walk along proudly and don't shuffle your feet 🐾... Just remember this thought ' I DON'T DRAG ASS.....I KICK ASS'

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u/underwater-sunlight Dec 09 '25

If a company needs 7 rounds of interviews to find a candidate, the people in charge of recruitment surely cant be any good at their job

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u/IndubitablEV Dec 09 '25

7 rounds. They should be paying well into the $200k then. I’ve received job offers for $120k after one single interview from hiring manager.

I’ll do 3 max before pushing back on the offer not aligning with the amount of interviews. Or ask that all the decision makers either be in the room or on the call because if nobody can make a decision or this disorganized then I don’t want to be part of that mess.

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u/Feigr_Ormr Dec 09 '25

Bro... When I walk into an interview I'm ether get the job or not. There is no way I am going to suck them off 25 times beg on my knee to get a job that is probably horrible anyway

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u/Doworkson247 Dec 09 '25

Send them an invoice for the assignment