A recruiter initially reached out around Thanksgiving, and the interview process continued through the last Friday before Christmas. Several red flags stood out during the final on-site panel interview in RWC. I was not informed in advance that the senior director would be absent in person, and she unexpectedly joined virtually for her portion of the interview. Additionally, during the interview, the director took a cell phone call from her son in the middle of the interview. This moment signaled to me a the beginning to the end and it became clear that I was not a priority candidate in the process. I also met with the hiring manager for the second time and she seemed very disengaged from the moment she walked into the room. These experiences left a sour taste in my mouth and solidified that I was clearly the backup option. I wasn't surprised to receive an email the week before Christmas that they would not be moving forward. I understand having backup candidates, but having someone come onsite for three hours knowing and treating them as a backup option the week before Christmas was pretty cruel to say the least. Although, I would like to shout out the other talent experience lead in the office who showed me around, he treated me with dignity and respect.