Four Rounds. CEO Praise. One 'Runner-Up' Email.

The candidate made it through four interview rounds. Not unusual these days, but notable: the final round was with the CEO, who was effusive. Told the candidate they were exactly what the company needed. The candidate, reasonably, took this as a strong signal.\n\nThen came the rejection email. The candidate had not been hired. They were, in the company's phrasing, a 'runner-up.' No further explanation. No feedback. Just: you came second, and second doesn't count.\n\nThe post landed on r/recruitinghell with the exhausted energy of someone who had done everything right and still walked away holding nothing. Commenters noted the particular cruelty of the CEO praise — giving someone the feeling they had sealed the deal, only to pull the rug with a boilerplate rejection.\n\nFour rounds over several weeks. A CEO-level endorsement. And the takeaway was a single word: runner-up.