What started off as what I thought was one of the best hiring processes I've ever experienced quickly turned into one of the worst because of one simple reason: Ghosting. I applied for the position via Home Depot's website and had received an email to schedule a preliminary phone screening with a recruiter from HR. After speaking with her she informed me that I'd speak with the hiring manager next. I then spoke to the hiring manager of whom I believed to have had a great and stimulating conversation with. So much so, it felt more like a conversation than an interview. He even mentioned that with my current experience I could expect to be promoted to Manager in 1 year, and then proceeded to ask about my salary needs. (All very good signs in my personal experience) Afterwards I was invited to a final round face to face at the Home Depot headquarters with the hiring manager himself and a senior manager. I sat down with them for 1 hour and answered their questions. The majority being behavioral questions as well as some related to change management. They mentioned that the team is relatively new and that the Senior Analyst would have to do their due diligence in managing cross workflow teams, process improvement, etc. I gave them my best answers and they both seemed very pleased, afterwards the hiring manager gave me a full tour of the facility and we seemed to further connect. (Again another very pleasant experience) After this I met with the Director of the team. She was much more transparent and direct than the previous managers, but nothing too alarming to since she is a Director and all. She only asked me a couple of brief questions before again bringing up salary. She said what I was asking for was ever so slightly out of their range and that she wanted to better manage my expectations, I said sure no problem, we can always talk it through when the time comes. Then I left. I was escorted out by the hiring manager who told me that I would personally hear back from him early the next week, I left with the highest spirits as I was convinced I got the job. Then early next week came and the hiring manager reached out saying that they couldn't come to a decision within the week and that the Director would be out of town the next week and to hang tight till after that. I said sure no problem, I know hiring processes can have unexpected delays so I didn't think much of it. Now it's been a month and a half and I've heard nothing, crickets. I've followed up multiple times with the Hiring Manager, the Director and even the Recruiter. No one has ever gotten back to me. Look, I realize positions fall through all the time. There can be budget constraints, internal candidates filling in the role, etc. etc. etc. But please, after all the bones that were thrown at me, someone could have at least had the decency to inform me so that I wouldn't have had to waste my time, energy and emotions waiting for a call that never came. Hiring managers, I know you have it tough, but please also try to think about it from our perspective.