Initial interview with recruiter. Then second interview with hiring manager. The latter only asked a couple questions including my background/work experience. On the call, I asked if there was anything preventing me form advancing in the interview process. They said no and confirmed that the next step would be additional phone interviews with other team members early the following week.
The next day I received a generic rejection email. I followed up with the hiring manager to clarify what happened and if I mis-understood the outcome of our call. No response.
I don't know why they did a 180; probably because the HM was uncomfortable with rejecting me on the call and chose to use email instead.
Give it to me straight if I'm not a fit and help me understand why so I can work to improve going forward.