This is long, settle in. Background: I'm a 20+ year career software developer w/ Java, Spring, Oracle and a plethora of other experience. Position: 100% remote senior Java developer w/ 5+ years experience Day 1 - Talked with the recruiter and submitted to VetSource Day 2 - Interview booked for the following day Day 3 - INTERVIEW ROUND 1: Initial interview w/ technical manager regarding culture, remote work and the company in general. Day 6 - Video interview w/ two devs and tech manager set up for two days away Day 8 - INTERVIEW ROUND 2: Interview w/ discussion around past projects, usage of technology. Quick tech skill tests with a little bit of paired programming (fairly simply tasks). Overall went well and seemed to click well with everyone. I could really envision myself working with these folks! This seemingly went so well, the tech manager said at the end of the interview "Yea, we're definitely moving you to the next stage". Good sign, right? Day 10 - Follow-up interview scheduled with execs in two days, seemed as if an offer was imminent. Discussed start date w/ recruiter and that I would need to go in for a week to get set up and meet the team Day 12 - INTERVIEW ROUND 3: Met with two executives and talked about past projects, the company in general, answered questions around remote work and general work-related items Day 16 - Hadn't heard anything yet (should've known at this point) and apparently they wanted to add another tech screening with an online test. INTERVIEW ROUND 4: Online Java test. It was sent and completed immediately. I know I messed up on one thing, since it took me a little longer than I thought to understand one of the questions being asked. Specifically - I missed converting integer math to FP, but everything else was as it should've been. I don't really think I missed anything else and no one said otherwise. Day 19 - Got a call from recruiter saying they want to do contract-to-hire because they are hesitant to hire remote. Agreed to do so (it's understandable, though why wouldn't they have specified that up front?) and asked about how insurance would work. Recruiter said he would call me back. Received call from recruiter later saying "This isn't going to happen". Apparently either being remote is too much of a step for them or they were concerned I was taking such a big pay cut from my current position, something I never mentioned to them directly nor was asked of me in any interview. Full disclosure: 1) I'm current contracted with minimal benefits making about 50% more than the position offers in base salary. However, this comes with expensive insurance, no 401k match, no PTO/holidays, no chance for promotion, no stock. I'm in no way complaining about this rate, but it is not the same as the full amount salaried. 2) I'm at a stage in my life where I have enough of a financial base that I'm not constantly just looking for more money. Some (perceived) stability is also a good thing, especially with remote jobs being fewer and far between, still. 3) We live in the country. Expenses are less, and my wife and I don't live anywhere near outside of our means. 4) I love animals! Having a chance to work at a company that actually helps animals is the first time in my career I've been excited for something more than just the technology/challenges a job presents Additionally, I didn't start at my current rate. I started at about 20% less. It was only after serious negotiation (and two years of being on the contract) that I was able to pull in a greater portion of the bill rate. I can possibly understand the thought that I might be job-hopping/just accepting this short term, though this was never explicitly brought up. Overall the experience started off very well and with a lot of excitement and ended up with confusion and disappointment. Perhaps the most confusing thing is - if the answer was no after the executive interview, why the additional tech portion?