The process for the Database Administrator role included a recruiter screen, a 1:1 with the Hiring Manager, a take-home project, and a take-home review and technical panel interview. While a final 1:1 with a leader was the next step, I genuinely enjoyed all my conversations up to that point; everyone I met was personable and a pleasure to connect with. I also invested considerable time in the technical take-home project, ensuring it was well-polished. The panel interview involved presenting this project and then diving into a technical discussion on relational databases, which I felt went well. Following up with the recruiter a few days later to understand the remaining steps and timeline, I was informed that the role was being put on hold indefinitely. This was certainly disappointing to hear after being over a month into the process and being so close to what I thought was the final interview stage.