Misleading hiring process and poor communication Pros: The recruiter was responsive and professional throughout the process. The role itself sounded interesting and aligned well with my background. Cons: The hiring manager gave me the impression I was a strong candidate, but ultimately chose an internal hire without being upfront. I was told I would receive direct communication about the decision, but instead, the manager ghosted me and only responded indirectly through the recruiter. The lack of transparency and accountability left a very negative impression of leadership. Advice to Management: If you promise to follow up with a candidate, follow through—whether the outcome is good or bad. Candidates invest their time and energy, and professionalism should extend beyond just internal hires.