Six interviews, 2 assessments & a case study assignment / presentation and all I got was a generic “thanks but no thanks” email. Ouch.

18 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 12:37PM UTC

   I heard after the third interview they are stringing you along. Not for sport but because they other other strong candidates and still not sure.

2. Barbara MastroddiSeptember 2,2025 at 12:44PM UTC

   it's certainly true. If a a prospective employer really likes you, they will move on you very quickly. I've gotten this strung along on a few occasions, where you're told how much they really like you, yet you know if they really wanted to hire you, they'd be moving a lot faster.

3. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 5:55PM UTC

   I agree. I won’t be making this mistake in the future. When I started people team said “3-4 max, with the final being with the CEO” but once I met the hiring manager (interview 4)

4. Dr. Patty GrossSeptember 2,2025 at 1:33PM UTC

   You need to check with your state's unemployment program to see if hiring on for seasonal retail help will affect your ability to reinstate your unemployment benefits after the holidays. It's not ideal, but taking on some hours while companies slow down their processes during the holiday (except for retail) could be a way to supplement or even exceed your UI benefits. The reason I suggest contacting UI first is that each state's rules concerning eligibility and restart after a temporary/seasonal position differ. I really hope your "case study assignment" wasn't a short-term consulting gig they got for free. Be careful of those in the future.

5. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 5:52PM UTC

   Will do. Unfortunately part-time seasonal work for me would require me to find (and pay for) childcare which I’m pulling the kids out of as it typically costs between $18-20 / hr which is all I could even hope to bring in. Sadly none of it makes sense.

6. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 1:41PM UTC

   Hello My Love - That's Plain Crazy & Rude!! Pls remember to honor your sense of Self Respect & Dignity thru this process...3 Interviews Max! then politely move on. You're making the right decision on School (Been there too!) So now give yourself some Grace and Know that you're on the Right Path!

7. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 1:43PM UTC

   The Market is horrible out there and hiring is few and far between. My only suggestion is to be glad you weren't ghosted and left chasing the rejection.

8. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 2:11PM UTC

   unfortunately I see so many post the same things, some looking for over a year - wishing you good luck

9. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 2:29PM UTC

   I'm facing the same scenario and it hurts. Give yourself permission to take a day away from the search to grieve while doing something fun for yourself. It doesn't have to cost money as after a year of searching, I understand that money is a factor but find something that makes you feel special. What I've learned is that there is only so much we can control.

   We can be prepared and even sometimes the best candidate but we don't know what's happening behind the scenes or what they really need/already have.

   Try to repurpose the work you completed to use going forward. I've added a PowerPoint I created for a committee interview to my LinkedIn as it showed what I can offer and removed any company specific details. I feel better about the time I put in as I'm using it to better my search and positioning.

   It's hard to think about but things happen for a reason. There are no perfect companies and even what we perceive as it was the ideal situation, we don't know until working there. Wishing you all the best and for finding a company that values your experience and hard work!

10. PatriciaSeptember 2,2025 at 3:53PM UTC

    You’re not delusional at all. After that much effort, anyone would expect at least thoughtful feedback. It doesn’t reflect your value, just the company’s process. Hiring slows in Q4, but it also means fewer applicants for open roles. Networking and reconnecting with contacts may help more than applying cold.

    Sometimes, a drawn-out process that ends with a rejection could be a sign that the company was just looking to steal ideas and had no intention of hiring you. There are cases where companies use interviews, case studies, or “assignments” to gather free ideas or test strategies without ever planning to hire. It’s not common among reputable employers, but it does happen — especially in industries where fresh perspectives are valuable.

    Signs it might have been idea-mining:

    *They asked for a lot of unpaid, detailed work (beyond what’s normal).

    *The assignment was very specific to their current business challenges (not a generic case study).

    *The role suddenly “went away” or was never filled.

    If an assignment feels like actual consulting work, it’s okay to ask how it will be used, or to present it at a high level without giving away every detail.

    Some candidates even watermark their documents or frame recommendations broadly so they can’t be lifted verbatim.

    If you are faced with a similar situation in the future, I suggest you keep this in mind and protect yourself from possible exploitation.

11. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 5:09PM UTC

    That is awful. In my talent team once we speak to someone past the first screening my Talent reps are required to call people and give them a rejection via the phone with some feedback if they fail the process. Often it is manager decision between 1-2-or more candidates. It's never fun to reject quality talent especially when they spent time learning about our company. At the onset of the interview process did they share that was the process and also the timeline? Have you reached out directly to find out how/where you failed? It is not a good thing that the holidays are going to slow down things even more but suggest that you try to do temp work even if it is not in your field of expertise if that gives you more than the UI check. Often if you take temp work in a company that interests you, you might find an in to that place for a more permanent role. So sorry you have to go through this. For the next go round ask about process, steps, timeline AND feedback loop with real person to know how you are doing in the process. Sending good luck your way.

12. AnonymousSeptember 2,2025 at 5:49PM UTC

    They told me it would be “up to 3-4 rounds” but the hiring manager seemed to have some decision making issues and kept adding “I’d like you to also meet with” .. but yes I’ve tried and explored temp work. Hopefully something comes up soon ??

13. AyianSeptember 3,2025 at 12:42PM UTC

    It happens. I've been through as many as 5 interviews before being told the position was filled internally after the CFO repeatedly failed to make time in their schedule for the final interview. It's not personal, they simply don't care about you as a person.

14. AnonymousSeptember 4,2025 at 4:59PM UTC

    Companies *should* be handling things with more professionalism...but they aren't. This has become the norm and it's not okay. The job market has been a dumpster fire since Covid and I don't see a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sorry this happened to you. Candidates should be treated with far more respect than this.

15. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 12:43PM UTC

    That company used you, and I would politely let them know that it is not okay and completely unacceptable.

16. Sonja StreuberSeptember 5,2025 at 1:39PM UTC

    OUCH! So sorry that this happened to you. That sounds really sh*tty on the part of the company (and yet strangely familiar ...). Is there a chance that you can trade "daycare" with another preschooler parent in the neighborhood so that you get a couple of days a week for the job hunt, and they get the other couple of days?

17. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 2:33PM UTC

    Sorry to hear that. Because you put in so much, would you be able to ask for feedback?

    My husband went through the same and after the rejection, he continued the conversation by asking for feedback directly from the hiring manager. Serendipitously, during the 3 week back-and-forth emails he got an email asking if he'd still like the position.

    Turns out an associate quit. The company was hiring for 2 consultants and a 3rd position opened up. I guess he was their 3rd choice.

    You never know what'll happen.

18. AnonymousSeptember 5,2025 at 3:15PM UTC

    not sure the kind of work you do… wonder if the case study assignment was an actual assignment that they needed done and used your expertise or an actual case study. And is it normal for case studies to be done in your line of work during an interview- seems odd.

    I once had a hiring manager (in the final round) - say he’s having a hard time choosing and then said - if you can solve this riddle - the job will be yours. He said you’re the last of 3 and the other two didn’t get it. I solved the riddle his jaw dropped and I did NOT get the job.- people are garbage and I’m sorry you’re dealing with this.

    I would pull the kids out of private school and take a moment to reset for the next year