The interview process included 5 rounds, 7 interviewers, background checks and an assignment. This lengthy interview process began with the explicit understanding and confirmation from them that they can provide the CTC expectation.  As an interviewee I checked all their boxes for 5 rounds - experienced, able to work in a fast paced environment, fluid JD, great writing skills, photography, image editing and video editing skills and experience. Whereas at the end of this lengthy process, they reneged on the CTC expectation that was agreed, said that they could look at a raise after 6 months (their probation period) and provided an offer over the phone and there was no formal offer / closure.    The whole process raised some red flags -  1. Agreeing to a budget to begin a lengthy process and then turning back on it didn't exactly inspire confidence.  2. The reason given was the 2nd lockdown in India, but the period post which expected CTC will be provided was 6 months - their exact probation period. This made it seem that the actual underlying reason was the fear of hiring someone who wouldn't perform to their expectations and playing it safe for the probation period. This was ironic since the whole point of going through 5 rounds and 7 interviewers was to screen the right candidate. 3. No formal closure + after such a time consuming process, the offer was  a huge step down from my current job. Same or less CTC offered, half of paid leaves I have at my current org, 6 day working week whereas currently it's a 5 day working week for me. If this was known at the outset, I would have politely declined to interview for them.   To sum it up, the candidate checks all their multiple requirements and goes through a very lengthy interview process, but the organization checks zero boxes for the candidate and makes a U-turn on the most basic agreement.  Organizations need to understand that an interview is a 2 way process, if it is not mutually beneficial or if one side renegades on the most basic agreement that starts the whole process (CTC), it ends up wasting everyone's time.