It started normally enough. A senior role at a company that had been around for eight decades. The third interview went well, so the hiring manager asked for a take-home assignment: a full project plan with mockups. The candidate delivered it as a view-only link — no source files, no downloads. A precaution learned the hard way.
Five more interviews followed. The candidate met directors, then VPs. Every conversation ended with enthusiasm. Then nothing. A week of calls, emails, follow-ups. Nobody responded.
So the candidate revoked access to the project link. Within twenty-four hours, the recruiter was on the phone with “good news” — and a small problem. The reviewing team could not open the presentation. Could the candidate send a PDF?
The candidate offered to present the work again, live, in front of the team. The recruiter hung up. Called back moments later, voice tight: “You have put me in a very bad position.” The project was one of only four shortlisted for internal presentation, and the broken link had made the HR manager look incompetent.
The candidate held his ground. “I would have gladly accepted a simple no, thank you.” Being ghosted while the company intended to use his work was the line. The recruiter went silent. The call ended. No PDF was sent.