Pros: Fast-tracked from phone screen to 4-hour onsite with VP lunch and building tour in 2 weeks. The VP was deeply engaged, pitched the culture hard, and even personally drove me back to HQ. Cons: The hypocrisy was staggering. After that red-carpet treatment, HR ghosted 3 separate deadlines. I was then rejected for two contradictory reasons: "not enough SOX experience" (a requirement never mentioned before) and "culture fit" because my professional, peer-reviewed follow-up emails were deemed "not COO-appropriate." The role has since been reposted under 4 different titles with the same duties, proving total internal chaos. Advice: If a VP champions you but HR vetoes you for asking clear questions, you didn't lose a job—you dodged a toxic culture. Document everything.