The recruiter was extremely friendly and the position seemed like a good fit. I was informed about the role, details, benefits, and stage progression. I was assigned an assessment, which I believe I did well. I got an email saying that they are pausing on my application (for a week as the hiring manager is out of the office, I was informed of their back to office date) I was reassured that they were interested in my application via 2 emails. Then a week later, I got an email saying that the role has been filled (the hiring manager was still out of the office as per their original email). So it was an extremely confusing and unpleasant process.

Pros: 1. The interview process was professionally organized. 2. Communication from HR was timely and courteous. 3. The company seems to offer a range of roles across Europe with potential for growth. Cons: 1. My relevant experience and past roles were not adequately considered during the evaluation process. 2. Despite highlighting my hands-on work with advanced roadmaps, the feedback inaccurately stated I lacked experience in this area. 3. It felt as though little effort was made to review my LinkedIn profile or professional recommendations, which could have provided deeper insight into my capabilities. 4. I applied for similar roles in both Germany and Barcelona, and while I respect the team’s judgment, the repeated rejections with limited clarity suggest an overly narrow focus during selection. 5. The process emphasized technical tools over broader qualities like adaptability, attitude, and demonstrated performance—traits that are equally, if not more, important. Advice to Management: Give more weight to candidates’ professional backgrounds and proven track records. A person’s experience, mindset, and willingness to learn are just as critical as specific tool proficiency. Taking the time to review publicly available information, like LinkedIn profiles and recommendations, would lead to more informed and fair hiring decisions.