Interview process started with an initial email from a recruiter asking general questions about my ideal opportunity, what I consider important about UX, etc. After sending over my answers, I did not receive a response, but it all happened around Thanksgiving break so I followed up and got a response that my email fell through the cracks and the process will continue (no worries, it's the holidays). Next step was a technical phone screening which dealt with a general position overview and some questions regarding CSS/JS/HTML. After that, I was given a coding assignment to complete which took 2-3 hours. After that, I was invited for an in-person interview which consisted of conversations with the team lead, another developer, a project manager, and the art director. The process was thorough and everyone was super friendly. I left feeling positive. About a week later, I received a call from the recruiter telling me that I did great and the team was very excited about me, and all that was left was a final meeting with the upper management team. Cool! I was told the last interview may take a week to set up so I wait a little over a week before reaching back out since I had not received any meeting invitation. Upon hearing back, I'm told that the position I interviewed for was not in the finalized budget yet, but they are figuring things out. Ok... so what next? I am told to wait until things get figured out. At this point, I am a bit bummed/annoyed. Feels like I am being toyed with a bit. Why take me through the entire process if the job doesn't really exist? Why tell me how great I did and get my hopes up for a final interview if the position has not even been approved? I am left with many questions. Was I just let down easy in some weird manner? Did I not do well in the in-person interview but if that's the case why tell me I did great and set me up to think a final interview is on its way? If this job did indeed not make the cut in the budget, why have people interview (the entire process took 2+ months, btw) for a position that doesn't yet exist? I am then told by the recruiter that I am free to apply to other positions in the company if I think I am a good fit for them and they will fast track me since I did "so well" in my interviews for the job which didn't really exist. I find a position I think I am well suited for, submit another application, and a week later I hear back that I am not a good fit for that role. Ok, well that settles it. Thanks Warby!