Standard interview process:
1) Phone screen with Recruiter
2) Phone screen with hiring manager
3) Take home exercise that took about 3-4 hours
4) Onsite with hiring manager, skip level and business partners
People were very friendly and upbeat which leads me to believe they have a great work culture. Process was great until mid-cycle. Recruiter confidently told me that this "will lead to an offer" and that the hiring manager/skip level will call me to work on an offer with "glowing feedback" from everyone.
A few days after my final rounds, I receive a call from the Recruiter and she leaves a message about the team's decision. I call back and left a message and that was the end of it. I never heard back.
I'm okay with rejection and understand things sometimes don't work out but don't lead a candidate on during the interview process. Recruiters should follow up with an email or message about moving forward with another candidate. After all, candidates invested time into interview and a take home exercise. Don't leave them hanging.