I was pinged by a recruiter, we spoke at length about the interview process, expectations, some basic intro questions, and I was told I with enthusiasm I would be advanced to the next round with the HM and to expect scheduling. All this despite recent layoffs, which I was also told would not affect my candidacy. Four days later I receive an auto-rejection template with no response or explanation from the recruiter. Typical inexperienced coward, somehow employed as a gatekeeper for the actual decision makers

I was contacted by an HR recruiter in early October and encouraged to apply for this position. What followed was the most bizarre and unprofessional interview process I've ever been a part of. Within the first 3 weeks, things moved rapidly and positively, with 3 interviews and an in-person with the local engineer. I was excited to move forward, genuinely thought highly of the team that I interacted with, and the feedback I received was 100% positive. Then things took a turn for the worst. November came and went with no progress. December, the same. Despite this, the only updates I would receive would be after I continually reached out to ask status. Finally, I was told a decision would be forthcoming first week of January. That time came and went with zero communication...however, I was contacted the following week who did a warm handoff to another rep in the area to facilitate a meetup. Odd at this point, but ok. Met with that rep and was told, again, a decision would come soon. Once again, it didn't. Finally, after no communication for another several weeks and more prodding, I was told VP would be contacting me to discuss some "changes". This finally happened, and the changes were that they decided to not fill the RAM req, but offer a Jr position role, and would I still be interested? I indicated I would, to which the VP agreed to setup a call the following Monday to discuss further. Continuing the trend that had already been established, of course this did not happen. When I reached out again to HR to ask what was going on, was given a terse "I have no updates to share". Solid stuff. The fitting end to this process was a week and a half later receiving a stock auto reject email stating that there "unfortunately was not a position available to me" but they would keep my resume on file. Unreal. After 4 months, countless interviews, calls, and in person lunches/coffees and being told explicitly that I was considered the top candidate by 2 of the 3 people in this process, I wasn't even given the basic common courtesy or professionalism of a phone call or personal email describing what happened and/or why. I met some terrific individuals in this process and it would’ve been great to work alongside them. However, the lack of communication, transparency and basic professionalism and etiquette in this process was surprising and disappointing from a company like Trend Micro.

GHOSTED - Had a phone interview with the recruiter. She said I would be meeting with 2 managers and she would schedule. I sent a thank you email as follow up and a few days later another follow up email. Never heard back. As a recruiter, you have one job. Not a great sign for their culture.