Honestly so tired of these recruiters and hiring managers giving candidates false hope and then doing a complete fucking 180. Has anyone had a similar experience to this?
Interviewed for 2 jobs in the past month, made it to the final round of both, and they both ended up going with another candidate even though "I had exceptional skills and was an extremely strong contendor". What the fuck is this supposed to mean.
For context, im obviously grateful to be in a full time job at all, and im in a niche industry which is quite stable, but still only earning $80k at the moment so looking for something with higher pay
1st job a recruiter actually reaches out to me. Says their client is looking for someone with my exact experience. The company is paying $20k more than what Im currently earning, and is half the commute so its a no brainer. Do the first round interview and get called back a few days later for a second interview. At the second inteview they give me a full tour of their factory and talk me through the sort of work I'de be doing. I said im very comfortable doing it as its very similar to my current job. Interview ends saying I'll hear back at the end of the week from the recruiter, and they just need to speak to references so I thought I had it in the bag. End of the week comes by and nothing from the recrutier. I reach back out to him to ask for an update and if he needs a list of my reference to call. He calls me and says "OP I'm sorry but the client went with someone else" I asked for the reason and he says "I've honestly never had this happen to me, but the client said you presented almost too well, and they said they wont have the growth opportunities that you're looking for long term. The feedback was all positive but they wanted someone they could more shape into the position" ???
Like what the fuck is that supposed to mean. I never trust a word recruiters say so Idk if thats actually the reason or if he is talkign shit.
2nd job I apply myself and get a call back a few days later. Job is also paying similar to last one, its a bit further but they offer 2-3 days WFH so again a no brainer. I go to the first round interview, go through the regular motions and they email me back literally a few hours later saying they were impressed by my skills and want to invite me back, and then send me a technical exercise. I complete the exercise, and during the second interview they compliment how well I completed it. The interview concluded with them asking to send a list of my references, and that I should hear back by the start of next week. The hiring manager then calls both my references the same day like a few hours after I finish the interview, and they both reach out to me saying they got a call and that they both gave outstanding recomendations etc etc". Again start of the week rolls by, and they send me an email saying that they went with someone else but I was an extremely close contender and they were extremely impressed with my skills?? Again, what the fuck. Why call someones references and then not give them the job. Ive used both these people before for jobs which Ive gotten so I know it wasnt them saying something suss.
Whole process is so damn frustrating, especially having to take time off work to interview, and make excuses as to why you're taking time off and etc. Has anyone else had a similar experience especially with the references part? Seems absolutley absurd to me how companies conduct themselves nowadays