So I started looking for jobs. I had a hiring manger for a big facility reach out to me, unprompted based on my LinkedIn profile. After three interviews (both over the phone and zoom) they finally decided they wanted to interview me in person.
To preface this, after I was initially contacted by this manager he had me write a cover letter, formally apply to the website, redo my resume, and I also purchased nice interview attire, and studied up on the company and some areas in my field that I was lacking in.
The whole time this team of managers are assuring me that I have the role. Like I said, three virtual interviews later… They just want to meet one final time but in person. (They cancelled on me twice for my final interview that was scheduled over zoom before finally saying it needs to be in person) I had to take time off work to drive over an hour to the facility for this interview as well. And right before I was scheduled to go in, they cancelled and told me they hired another candidate. This whole process was strung out over a month. THEY REACHED OUT TO ME. I jumped through so many hoops. So I wrote them a salty ass reply:
“To whom it may concern,
In my professional experience it is best practice to conduct ALL rounds of interviews before deciding on an applicant. Not only does this foster good relationships for those who are qualified, and allow for future employment opportunities, but it displays high levels of professionalism and respect for ALL parties involved.
After 30 days, several rounds of interviews, and being told in an informal manner that the “role is yours” I would have at least expected the courtesy of honoring our meeting today.
To make this abundantly clear, I'm not disappointed that lost to another candidate, I am disappointed that I was denied the basic human courtesy towards the end of our interaction. Even if you knew the other applicant was the best choice, a face to face meeting may have swayed your decision. It seems to me that you valued your time more than you valued mine. Which speaks to how our working relationship might have been. Please do not contact me again, I have no interest in future opportunities here.
I will be sure to leave an appropriate review of this interaction, and let the rest of my network know how business is conducted. In any case, thank you for the opportunity, if it had even existed at all.”
The manager wrote back that they had extended an offer to this candidate weeks ago (around the time he initially reached out to me) but the candidate declined the offer. And after a couple weeks went by the candidate contacted them and asked if they could accept.
So rather than tell me this in advance, they waited until that guy started to cancel my interview. My guess is they wanted to make sure he was actually going to show up and follow through.