Process started wonderfully. Interviews with hiring manager (MD Program Management), Head of Product, Technology Lead. Analytics Lead, Head of Program Management. Interviews were scheduled quickly and in succession, no waiting weeks between interviews like at many banks these days. Entire process, 5 rounds, completed within two weeks. All the discussions were fantastic, two-way conversations around the key strategic project at hand, and how I could contribute to its success. Everyone was intelligent, thoughtful, engaging, and open. I really saw myself working with these people, and the feeling was mutual. Recruiter called to extend a verbal offer on Friday, January 17th. That's when things started to go south. The subsequent events in order: 1. Tuesday, January 21st - recruiter advises that due to year-end processing, the formulation of the written offer is delayed. No further contact the rest of the week, despite my checking in. 2. Monday, January 27th - recruiter calls to say there are org changes happening in the hiring manager's team, offer is on hold. 3. Thursday, January 30th - recruiter calls to say the hiring manager would like me to complete an assignment, a presentation on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive. I work on this all weekend, and submit it on Sunday afternoon. 4. Monday, February 3rd - recruiter calls to say hiring manager is taking down the position due to budget. Obviously I'm very upset, and request that Head of Program Management call me to provide more details. She reaches out to him and he agrees to do so. 5. Wednesday, February 5th - recruiter emails to say Head of Program Management will be calling me today. Has not happened. I've had some pretty horrible experiences searching for a job for the past two years, probably enough to write a book (or at least a chapter). These events have been by far the most abusive, and the worst behavior I have seen by a corporation in my professional career. I would understand if a startup acted like this, but not an established and well-respected firm like MSCI. I'm left sickened by this experience.