- After investing two months and going through four stages of interviews with multiple team members, I was summoned for a final in-person evaluation. - The meeting was a resounding success; everyone concurred that I was the perfect fit for the role, meeting all the criteria from technical know-how to interpersonal skills, and even meshing well with the company culture. - A verbal offer was extended to me, and after displaying my eagerness, I took a customary few days to carefully consider it. - Subsequently, I submitted a counter-proposal to the company. - Silence followed for a week. When I initiated a follow-up, I was told that "further deliberations are ongoing," but they also reassured me that they were only negotiating with me at the time. I reciprocated this level of commitment, in line with ethical workplace behavior. - During the ensuing weeks, I got 2-3 messages maintaining the status quo: "no news as of yet." - Eventually, close to three weeks later, I was informed via email that the higher-ups had decided to promote someone internally and reclassified the job title to "Associate XXX."