Initiated the process themselves — They reached out to you, not the other way around, which implies they thought your profile matched what they needed. Already knew your experience — They had your résumé and were aware of your research background from earlier discussions, so “lack of experience” shouldn’t have been a surprise. Knew your expectations — You were transparent about salary flexibility and even willing to take ESOPs instead of a higher salary, showing you were committed to making it work. Moved the goalposts — Only at the end did they suddenly claim they needed “way more experience,” which makes it feel like the real reason might be different (budget issues, internal politics, role change, or even poor candidate management). Wasted your time — By not filtering properly before scheduling an interview, they essentially disrespected your effort and time. This isn’t just a matter of them rejecting you — it’s the fact that their process was sloppy and inconsistent. A well-run company would: Ensure they’ve fully reviewed your profile before outreach. Clarify expectations up front. Avoid calling candidates for interviews if they already know they won’t fit the “experience” criteria. In short, it shows disorganization, poor communication, and a lack of respect for candidates’ time — all red flags about how they might treat employees internally.