My interview experience was disappointing and reflected poorly on the company's hiring process. I was initially contacted by a recruiter who came across as disengaged and uninterested throughout our interactions. Despite that, I proceeded with the interview process and had a positive conversation with one of the co-founders. At the end of the discussion, I was informed that I would be moving forward to the next round. Unfortunately, after the interview, communication completely stopped. Multiple follow-ups to the recruiter went unanswered, and I never received any update, feedback, or closure regarding my candidacy. Regardless of the outcome, candidates deserve the basic courtesy of a response. What made the experience more concerning was hearing from both current and former employees that hiring decisions are often heavily influenced by existing founder networks, with external interviews sometimes conducted despite positions effectively being pre-decided. While I cannot independently verify this, my own experience left me questioning the transparency of the process. I understand that not every candidate can be selected, but timely communication, respect for candidates' time, and professional closure are fundamental expectations. I hope the company improves its candidate experience going forward.