I was laid off from my role as a director at a FAANG company about six months ago, and while I was initially relieved to be out of a toxic environment, the job search has been incredibly frustrating. I've applied to numerous positions and made it to the final round twice, only to face rejection each time. I understand it's a competitive job market, but it still stings to be passed over for reasons that feel arbitrary. Recently, I've been feeling restless and decided to apply for positions that are below my experience level just to stay productive. I came across a junior marketing position that was a six-month maternity cover, which seemed like a great fit. It was a significant pay cut—about 50% of what I used to make—but I thought it would help me pay the bills while keeping me engaged in work that sounded fun and hands-on. After going through four rounds of interviews and even preparing a presentation, I received the disappointing news today that they decided to pull the position because someone who had just onboarded could take over the tasks. This experience has left me feeling incredibly frustrated with the lack of professionalism in the hiring process. It’s disheartening to see how corporations can waste your time and raise your hopes only to let you down. It really makes me question the loyalty that companies expect from employees when they don’t extend the same courtesy in return.