Tech interview process rant

Long time reader first time poster.

I’ve been in tech since 2010. Most recently laid off w my team in 2025. These stories are probably a diamond dozen but here’s my most recent…

Internal recruiter reached out to me and set up a call the same week. Had a great first interview where it was emphasized that they understand how painful it is to interview nowadays with seemingly endless conversations so they It cap it at three with one project.

The night before the second conversation I was informed there would be a mini project and I had to share my analysis on the Call the following day. That one went fairly well too despite the red flag of a second small project. No big deal, I enjoyed the conversation.

They asked me for my availability for a third interview. I provided seven dates each with 12 hour windows over the next 2 weeks but said I was unavailable for four specific days as I was going mountain biking in another country.

Welp my dudes and dudettes you know already know whats coming next…they asked if I could make myself available for one of the days I was gone to workaround an executives schedule. Since I have no leverage and need a job you bet your ass I caved and said it wasn’t a problem.

Went into town and found secure Wi-Fi for the call. We hopped on the zoom and the first thing they said was they’re not trying to waste anyone’s time so they will be candid and if it’s not looking like a fit we can end the call early. Everything was positive, literally every response I gave they agreed with there was no negative feedback at all. They told me how much they appreciated my flexibility they were excited to talk to me and they would be in touch with next steps for the official “project”

The next day I found a little restaurant with Wi-Fi but on my email and had a four sentence automated rejection email.

I’m happy to name and shame I’m not sure if that’s against the rules. I haven’t responded to the initial recruiter yet but I plan on it and right now it’s 50-50 if I go full scorched earth or not.

I’ve had multiple interviews this summer where I take the high road every time because that’s what professionals do but in this case I think it would be therapeutic for me to tell them to go fuck themselves.

Hope everyone is doing well, remember that your value as a human is not tied to what these corporations think of you.

Time to join the fire Academy!