Interview Process:
A drawn-out, exhausting process spanning over a month with 4 stages. What started promisingly deteriorated significantly by the final round.
Major Red Flags:
1. Unprofessional Final Interview:
The Lead Developer and Head of Development conducting the final stage appeared visibly tired and disengaged throughout. Neither smiled or showed any enthusiasm. They seemed to be mechanically going through prepared questions rather than having a genuine conversation. Even the receptionist displayed a noticeably unwelcoming attitude. The contrast with earlier stages was stark and concerning.
2. Shifting Requirements & Post-Hoc Justifications:
During the final interview, they suddenly asked about experience mentoring juniors—something never mentioned in the job description or previous 3 stages. When I was rejected, the stated reason was "other candidates had more experience." This felt like a convenient excuse invented after the fact rather than a genuine evaluation criterion.
3. Mid-Level Role, Senior Expectations:
The role was advertised as "Mid UI Developer," yet they appeared to want someone senior enough to mentor juniors. If this was essential, why wasn't it in the job specification? Why wait until stage 4 to assess this?
4. Questionable Hiring Legitimacy:
Most telling: the position remained open for 2+ months after my rejection. This raises serious doubts about whether they were genuinely hiring or simply going through recruitment motions. Did they already have an internal candidate? Were they just "testing the market"?
Time Wasted:
Over a month invested in technical tests, multiple interviews, and preparation—only to be rejected based on undisclosed criteria by interviewers who seemed checked out.
The Real Issue:
This felt less like a genuine recruitment process and more like a box-ticking exercise. The exhausted, disinterested demeanor of the final interviewers, combined with post-interview justification of rejection and the role remaining unfilled for months, suggests poor recruitment planning at best, or disingenuous hiring practices at worst.
Advice to Future Candidates:
Ask explicitly about mentoring requirements and true seniority expectations from the first conversation
Be prepared for the final stage to feel like an obligation rather than a conversation
Consider whether the time investment is worth it given the unclear process
Would I recommend this company? Not based on this disorganised, unclear, and ultimately disrespectful recruitment experience.