I reached the final interview stage with Storyblok for this administrative role. The process included what was described as an “optional” presentation; yet it became the very reason for my rejection. I spent a few days to research and create an UNPAID presentation because declining didn’t feel like a genuine option. The final interview was supposed to be with three panel members, but one didn’t attend due to another engagement. A week later, I received a generic rejection email stating my “assessment did not fully align with current needs.” If a task is truly optional, it should not be used to disqualify candidates — especially one requiring extensive unpaid work. This experience felt like a deliberate misuse of my time under the pretense of fair evaluation. It also reflects poorly on how Storyblok values candidates’ effort and time investment. Professional courtesy and transparency were noticeably absent by the final stage.