Initially, my application process went well. After submitting my resume and cover letter, I quickly received a response, and an interview was scheduled. Unfortunately, I fell ill on the day of the interview and had to reschedule. I communicated my situation promptly and expressed my continued interest in the position. The response was polite and understanding, and I was asked to provide my availability for a rescheduled interview, which I did. However, I was taken aback when I received a rude email saying "We encountered a stronger candidate who recently accepted our offer. Thanks again for your interest. Wishing you all the best in your pursuits" They told me that they had extended an offer to another candidate, just 24 hours before my originally scheduled interview. This raised concerns about how they could determine the "strongest candidate" when they haven't interviewed or met me yet. It seemed as though either the decision was made the day before or there was already a preferred candidate lined up within the organization, making my interview a formality. I had come across comments suggesting that this organization tends to hire from within, and this experience seemed to align with that. While I am not upset about missing the position, I am disappointed with how the process was handled. It reflects poorly on their treatment of interviewees, and I believe this could deter qualified candidates from applying in the future. When I voiced my concerns about what they said to me, the only response I received was a brief "Apologies," with no further explanation. Their lack of communication and transparency was very disappointing. Overall, this experience has left me with a negative impression of their hiring practices, and I would advise potential applicants to consider this before applying.