I found the job posting on LinkedIn and applied. The next day, I was contacted to schedule an interview. Step 1: Recruiter Screen The recruiter and I spoke on the phone. She reviewed my past experience, explained the role, and shared details such as location, start dates, and compensation. She emphasized her commitment to transparency and being an advocate for candidates. The call went well, and she informed me I would move on to the next step. Step 2: Interview with Sr. Manager This was a 30-minute video call with a Sr. Manager. He asked about my leadership skills and my knowledge of Safefleet, and I had the opportunity to ask questions. The recruiter was also present on the call but remained muted and off-camera, which felt a bit awkward. Nonetheless, the interview went great. The recruiter called me afterward, praised my performance, and confirmed I would advance to the final step: an in-person interview with the hiring manager. Step 3: Interview with Hiring Manager The interview was scheduled at their new Houston location, but due to a last-minute issue with the venue, they asked me to meet the hiring manager at his hotel, about 1.5 hours away. I requested a closer location, sicne there was a different Safefleet location by my house but the hiring manager kindly asked if I could come to the hotel, hinting that I was a top candidate and this meeting was a formality. The interview at the hotel lobby went well, although the hiring manager seemed in a hurry and asked few questions. He explained the role, discussed compensation, and detailed the offer process. I asked a few questions, and he assured me I would hear back within 48 hours. Post-Interview I sent a thank-you email to the recruiter after 24 hours, but received no response, which I understood given her busy schedule. After 72 hours without an update, I emailed and texted her, still with no response. I then contacted the hiring manager, who had given me his number for such situations. A few hours later, I received a generic rejection email stating they had chosen another candidate. I understand they found a better fit, but I was disappointed with the lack of communication from the recruiter. Despite her initial emphasis on transparency, it felt like they only reached out once their chosen candidate accepted the offer.