I was beyond excited when I had the opportunity to interview with Peace Out Skincare, a brand I have genuinely admired for quite some time. The interview process began with a conversation with their PR and Influencer Manager, where we discussed my experience, best practices in social media, and my overall approach to building engagement. This part of the process was straightforward and enjoyable, and I felt confident moving forward. For the second round, I was tasked with developing a comprehensive content strategy for Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This included a content calendar covering pre-launch to post-launch, alongside examples of three current trends the brand should capitalize on. Additionally, I was asked to provide two pieces of user-generated content, created by myself. Though this project was uncompensated, I dedicated over eight hours to deliver something I was truly proud of, given my passion for the brand. However, after submitting the project and completing my second interview with the head of marketing, my excitement faded into disappointment. It’s now been over two weeks and I haven’t heard back, no feedback, no update, and not even a courtesy rejection email. While I completely understand that not every candidate moves forward, after investing so much time and energy into a detailed project for a brand I admire, the lack of communication feels unprofessional. I believe in constructive feedback and respectful communication, especially in interview processes where candidates are asked to deliver significant work. While my respect for Peace Out Skincare as a brand remains intact, this experience has been disheartening. I had hoped for a more transparent and respectful conclusion to what began as a positive interview experience.