My recent interview experience at The Cigna Group was a bad experience. The initial phone screening was positive, and the HR representative was very friendly. We discussed my qualifications and my interest in the Product Strategy Advisor role. During the call, she recognized my extensive experience and suggested I might be a good fit for a more senior position within the same domain. I expressed my enthusiasm for both opportunities and left the final decision to the team. While compensation wasn't a major focus in the initial conversation, the HR representative mentioned a potential salary range. I emphasized my strong interest in the role and was happy to discuss specifics at a later stage. There was some initial confusion regarding my visa status. I clarified that I would need sponsorship for an H1B visa. Post that she got hesitant and said, she needed to confirm with the compliment team etc, and that they need some $12K-$17K for H1B applications and she would have to recheck. While the HR representative was initially open to proceeding, there seemed to be some internal considerations related to sponsorship costs. Unfortunately, after a follow-up email where I reiterated my interest and flexibility on salary, I received a rejection notice. While they didn't provide specific reasons, they indicated that other candidates might be a better fit for the current opening. 2 days earlier she wanted to switch me to a senior role and was impressed by my resume and now this. I don't even think she asked her compliance team. The lack of communication creates uncertainty for candidates, especially in today's competitive and volatile job market. Transparency throughout the interview process allows candidates to make informed decisions about their job search. Such disregard for communication not only affects an individual's emotional well-being in today's competitive job market of 2024 but also erodes trust in the recruitment process, leaving candidates feeling undervalued by potential employers.