I recently went through a nearly three-month interview process here that ended in one of the most discouraging candidate experiences I’ve had. The process involved five stages, including an assessment with three significant deliverables that took me days to complete. I invested serious time and effort because the recruiter was highly responsive throughout and gave the impression that the company valued candidates’ time. And I more than met the requirements of the job description. After I completed the assessment, the recruiter quickly reached out to say the hiring manager would love to meet me onsite. I went; the conversation was wonderful. Two days after that, the recruiter reached out asking if I had time for a quick call. I got excited that this was a possible verbal offer. On the call, she told me my interview with the hiring manager had gone very well. Instead of an offer, though, I was told they wanted one final executive panel interview — described essentially as a "getting to know you." I took that to be the “vibe” check. I said of course, and looked forward to it. Well, you've heard the one about not counting your chickens prematurely? During that senior panel interview, one interviewer who mentioned being with the company for more than 25 years questioned why I had held five roles over ten years, and made a joke that was in poor taste. It was evident that she didn't like my answer -- or maybe she didn't like me, which is her right. But in a situation where there was a clear power imbalance, this person went out of her way to demean me and my experience. The same experience that was apparently good enough to get me all the way to the final round. Coming out of that, communication completely changed. The previously responsive recruiter went silent. Four days later, I received an automated rejection email thanking me merely “for connecting” on the role. "Connecting"? Really? After five rounds, including a site visit, and an extensive assessment? And an ill-timed phone call that raised expectations unnecessarily? An automated rejection? Wow. I understand no company owes anyone a job offer. But companies do owe candidates an honest, respectful, and professionally managed process — especially after requiring multiple rounds and substantial unpaid work. And from this company, whose entire claim to fame is helping executives understand and stay ahead of changing times, I expected more consideration. Or less fustiness. Lesson learned. To those seasoned Gartner executives who haven't had the pleasure of competing in the Hunger Games that is the job market post-COVID? Or decades before that? It's a privilege for which you should be grateful. And humble. And maybe engage in some self-reflection too.