I interviewed for a Project Manager role in May 2025. The first round was conducted via an AI-based screening, which I cleared successfully. Following that, the HR team scheduled a one-on-one interview with the hiring manager. The conversation was engaging and felt more like a two-way discussion than a typical Q&A session — the interviewer was knowledgeable and the interaction was quite positive. Shortly after the interview — within 10 minutes — I received a call from HR. They mentioned that while I performed well, I didn’t have the same level of experience as their current Project Managers. Instead, they offered me the role of Associate Project Manager. Given that I had been unemployed for over six months, I accepted the offer. Over the next few days, HR and I had several discussions regarding the compensation. We eventually agreed on a final figure, even though it was lower than my previous CTC. I received the provisional offer letter with a joining date of May 13th. However, just one day before the joining date, HR called to inform me that my onboarding would be postponed due to pending background verification (BGV). I was told they would communicate the new joining date once the BGV was completed. I waited for almost a week without any update. During this period, I turned down other job opportunities, assuming I had already secured the position at Arcitech. I also followed up with HR multiple times, but the response was always that they hadn’t received any updates from the BGV team. Finally, after a week, HR called and informed me that the BGV result was “not as expected” and that my offer would be revoked. When I asked for specific details, I was told they didn’t have that information — only that the result was unsatisfactory. I was shocked and disheartened — especially after turning down other opportunities and finally receiving an offer after months of unemployment. Still, I chose not to dwell on it and simply accepted the outcome. I believe everything happens for a reason, and I’m moving forward with that mindset — no hard feelings. Just one suggestion for HR teams: Please consider initiating the BGV process in parallel with the interview stages. It can save valuable time for both the candidate and the company.