I applied to a marketing role in November 2024. After five months of total silence, I received a brief message in April 2025 stating the company had decided not to fill the position. This delay reflects a lack of alignment, urgency, and clarity—both within marketing leadership and in how the function is regarded across the organization. It also raises serious concerns about ghost jobs, a practice I believe should be illegal. It takes time to research a company, review the job description, complete the application, and write a thoughtful cover letter. Candidates deserve better than to have their effort disregarded by companies posting roles they have no intention—or ability—to fill. This experience validates the mediocre ratings on culture and leadership I found online. In hindsight, I’m thankful I wasn’t hired—because this level of indecision reeks of a company that might just as easily lay off new hires months later.