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Flunking my Anthropic interview again

(taylor.town)
369 points surprisetalk | 2 comments | 29 Aug 25 14:02 UTC | HN request time: 0.466s | source
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notyouraibot ◴[30 Aug 25 10:47 UTC] No.45073592[source]▶
Yeah, I recently had an offer letter in hand, the company flew me out to do a final security review since it was a sensitive cyber sec role, did a 2-hour long polygraph test which went quite well honestly, but then 3 weeks later they told me they have decided to move ahead with another candidate? Made no sense and broke me down for weeks. Totally defeated. I still don't understand how they could move ahead with another candidate if they had already given me an official offer letter, but eh life goes on I suppose.
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ptero ◴[30 Aug 25 11:24 UTC] No.45073739[source]▶
That would be a rare case where I would reach back for more information. Rescinding an offer is, in my book, a huge black mark against the company and I would consider shaming them in a blog post as well.

Was this your first polygraph? I never had one, but I heard that passing the first one for a high level ticket virtually always takes several tries.

Did they tell you that you passed the poly?

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1. notyouraibot ◴[30 Aug 25 12:15 UTC] No.45073969[source]▶
Yeah it was my first polygraph so I was sweating buckets! The polygraph was relatively simple though, they tell you all the questions they will be asking beforehand, so nothing unexpected is thrown at you.

I think I passed the poly cause if I didn't then they would tell me that instead of saying they selected another candidate and honestly I was so depressed and defeated that I just didn't bother communicating with them after that, 3 weeks of constant waiting and reaching out for updates and then finally getting an 'Unfortunately' email kind of did it for me.

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2. ptero ◴[30 Aug 25 17:39 UTC] No.45076512[source]▶
Are you willing to name the company? Shame them here. This sounds wrong.

I do not know what the details of the situation were, for example was the offer contingent on additional background checks that you failed or on something else, but if it was related to a US security clearance I would seriously consider filing a request for information -- they are required to tell you their findings.

It would probably be an interesting reading (unless one has a very thin skin) and I would do it just for fun, regardless of the pulled offer. My 2c.