Strange_Coconut_1645's journey

I recently had a wild experience while job hunting that I need to vent about. I've been searching for a high-salary remote job that aligns with my degree, and I was thrilled when a well-known company reached out to me for what seemed like my dream position. I had an interview with HR in June, and everything was looking promising until I was informed that the role had been filled. However, the HR rep mentioned a new position was opening up that I would be a great fit for, which reignited my hope. She sent me a massive assessment that required a detailed 5-page written response, which I completed and submitted within three days. After that, I heard nothing for two months. I sent a couple of polite check-in emails, but they went unanswered, and I assumed the position had been closed. Out of the blue, the HR rep returned with a huge apology for the delay and asked if I was still interested. To my surprise, she included a $50 Amazon gift card as a peace offering. I thought maybe this was a good sign, so I decided to continue with the process. We scheduled a meeting with the team leader, which went incredibly well. The next day, I received feedback that they loved me and just needed one final chat with the General Manager to finalize the proposal. But then, silence again. It has now been a full month without any communication. We are at the five-month mark of this back-and-forth, and my enthusiasm for working with them has completely faded. Has anyone else experienced something similar, where a recruiter has sent a gift card after ghosting? It feels like they might be trying to buy my silence or just messing with my sanity.