I’m really torn about posting this review, but I think it’s important to share experiences to help others navigate their interview process. I had a wonderful experience meeting with various team members at OOFOS. It seemed like a perfect fit, and the feedback I received throughout the interview process was extremely positive. I got to the final stage, which was a reference check. I provided 4 references comprised of former colleagues. Almost 3 weeks later, I have not received an update, and I know they spoke with my references. I’m not sure what happened, but I’ve essentially been ghosted. I’m dumbfounded by this behavior for a number of reasons. First, for me, interviewing is a very private and personal experience. I never share when I’m interviewing. Therefore, when it’s time to share references, it’s a big deal because I have to share that I’m interviewing. For a company to call references and then ghost me is not only unprofessional, it’s also a huge violation of my privacy. Second, calling references and asking them to take time out of their schedule and then ghost me is disrespectful to their time. Third, relying on references to make a hiring decision is a sign that the company lacks the ability to hire candidates and lacks the ability to make decisions. References should validate a hiring decision, they should not be the decision maker. Lastly, ghosting in general is one of the most immature, disrespectful, and unprofessional behaviors a company can display. It’s a sign they lack basic competencies, and it’s a reflection of the company culture. You can say I dodged a bullet, but I’m really just disappointed in them.