This interview process was transparent in all of the worst ways. I applied for the job in mid-April 2022. I got a response in early May after tracking down someone within the department and contacting them. HR reached out and scheduled a phone screening. The HR person had a list of questions. Her response to all of my answers was "Okay, not a problem," even though almost all of my answers were positive and/or affirmative. At the end of the interview, she scheduled me to interview with the hiring manager. She did not tell me that person's name or position. I spoke with the hiring manager the next week. She seemed a bit overwhelmed and did not introduce herself. After she got settled it was a good conversation. We talked through my portfolio, the job, and my current position at another Big 5 in marketing design. At the end of the interview, she said that though she wanted to hire someone ASAP, it might be a little while because HR was backed up. I sent thank you emails that day and then followed up with the HR person every 2 weeks for updates. After the first follow-up, they had not yet completed round 1 interviews. My second follow-up was met with an OOO. After my third follow-up, the HR person said she had just touched base with the hiring team and the position was put on hold. Two weeks after that (mid-July) I got a series of 2 emails. The first was a rejection email for SOMEONE ELSE and the second was the EXACT SAME EMAIL addressed to me but with MY NAME SPELLED WRONG. No apology or acknowledgment of either of the mistakes. The email (pasted below) said they had filled the position, so from my perspective, it went from round 1, to on hold, to filled, which I find confusing and suspicious. A year ago I made it to the third round for another position at PRH. After a 4-month interview process including a design test (unpaid), I was hit with a similarly vague and impersonal rejection. I will not be applying to positions at PRH again. The email: “I have connected with the hiring manager who had a hard decision in choosing a top candidate and we would like to thank you for speaking with us for the Designer role. We interviewed several candidates that were very strong and well-suited, you being one of them. However, after careful consideration the team has decided to move forward with another candidate to fill this role.  We will keep your resume on file for future opportunities. I would suggest that you continue to search our website for positions that are of interest to you and apply online.    Again, I appreciate your time and interest in our company and wish you success in your job search.”