It was a lengthy interview process for an entry-level role. I began with a standard screening call with the recruiter. After that, I went through four additional interviews—each lasting an hour—with the hiring manager, internal stakeholders, and members of senior leadership. While I understand the importance of making thoughtful hiring decisions, the overall process felt excessive for the level of the role. After completing all interviews and dedicating significant time, I was ultimately told they went with an internal candidate who was “overdue for a promotion,” as Collectors prides itself on internal mobility. That’s fair, but this should have been made clear earlier in the process. Sharing that after I had completed multiple rounds of interviews showed a lack of respect for the candidate’s time and effort.