I was genuinely excited about the opportunity with Toast and appreciated the initial transparency from the recruiter. However, my experience ultimately left me feeling disappointed and undervalued as a candidate. I completed multiple rounds of interviews, including a panel and an additional one-on-one with the hiring manager. I was told to expect a decision by Monday morning following the final conversation. That timeline came and went with no update. Over the course of two weeks, I received repeated messages pushing the decision day further — Wednesday, then Friday, then the following Monday — often with vague reasoning and no resolution. I understand that delays happen, but the lack of clear communication and follow-through made the process feel drawn out and inconsiderate. Despite being a finalist and making myself available for every step (including unplanned meetings), I received a rejection only after several missed deadlines and after I had to proactively share that I had another offer. What was especially disappointing is that Toast promotes a values-driven, candidate-conscious culture — but this process didn’t reflect that. I would have appreciated more timely, decisive communication and a process that respected my time and interest in the role.

Although my experience echo sentiments already expressed by others, I had an extremely disappointing phone screen with Toast. It was unsettling to interact with a recruiter who seemed disinterested from the start. The conversation was rushed throughout our brief, less than 15-minute call. Her demeanor felt indifferent, even annoyed, when I inquired about the company culture and what makes her enjoy working at Toast. Despite my attempts to establish a connection, the interaction remained cold and distant. Given the current challenging job market, a little empathy towards job applicants could go a long way. Unfortunately, the lack of warmth and welcoming attitude during our conversation gave me a negative impression of the company, to the point where I am disinclined to reapply in the future. Additionally, I would suggest that the rejection process be handled with more sensitivity. Using a pun in the rejection email felt inappropriate and frankly tone deaf.