So I had one of those “what even is this hiring process?” experiences and I need some honest answers.

I applied to a company on Feb 2, 2026, forgot about it, and then suddenly on March 3 HR calls me and asks me to come for an interview on March 6.

I go, the interview goes REALLY well. The interviewer literally tells me he likes me and says something like, “I’ll select you if I don’t find anyone better.” He also says they have tons of resumes and it might take time. Fair enough. He also mentions I’m the first candidate he’s interviewing.

I come home feeling like okay… this might actually work out.

Then plot twist.

I check LinkedIn and see they reposted the SAME job on March 5 — one day before my interview — and it already has 100+ applicants. I’m like okay maybe they just want more options.

I wait… 2 weeks… nothing.

I follow up with HR. Still nothing.

Meanwhile, the job is STILL being reposted on LinkedIn.

Then on April 1 (lol), I get a rejection email saying I don’t meet the “specific technical competencies required.”

Now I’m just confused.

If I didn’t meet the requirements, why say the interview went well?

Why tell me I might be selected?

Why keep the process dragging for so long, especially for an internship?

Are companies just hunting for a “perfect” candidate who checks 100% of the boxes?

Or are they just interviewing endlessly because they can?

Genuinely asking — do companies actually hire people or just keep collecting candidates like Pokémon?

Would love to hear from HRs or anyone who understands what’s happening behind the scenes because this just feels… weird.