I got laid off after almost 16 years by my previous employer. They handled it like crap but I get a severance at least. I haven’t had to job hunt in a long time, at least, outside that company.
I have been working remote so I decided to only apply for remote jobs and if I got desperate I would apply for hybrid or on site jobs. One of the first jobs I applied for is advertised as remote. I got through the 1st interview and it was great I liked the manager and really wanted the job. Then I talked to the recruiter (the hiring manager called me first because she thought the recruiter was taking too long) and she was very nice. But then she asked if I would be willing to do hybrid since the HQ was in my state. But it’s like a 30 min drive but I really liked the manager so I said I was open to hybrid. I mostly was still depressed from being laid off and felt like I needed to take it. I get a call a week later from the hiring manager and she wants me to talk her manager.
I was excited but at this point I had several other prospects, however, I still was interested. I ended up talking to her manager later in the day. He and I are on a video call and he asked me some questions but then he asked me if I would be willing to come into the office. At this point, I knew they never planned on being remote. I told him I would be willing to go hybrid but not come into the office fully. I asked him if that was a deal breaker and my attitude had changed because I knew at this point they never intended to have someone work remote. After that, I was polite but I knew I had no chance of getting that job and I didn’t want it.
Literally 3 days I got an offer for an actual remote position and a place that seems to actually care about their employees.
I have been seeing a lot of companies pulling this shit. It really pisses me off because at the time I was freaking out about my lay off and I feel like so many companies took advantage of that. But I’m glad I didn’t settle.