Failed the final round after five interviews with them. How do you actually get back up from that?
Made it through the recruiter screen, two technical rounds, a system design chat, and a panel. Four weeks of prep and nerves. Then a two-line rejection email this morning, no real feedback.
I know logically this is normal and it's not a referendum on my worth. But it stings more because I got so close. Right now I don't even want to open my editor.
How do you reset after a late-stage no? Take a few days off, or force yourself back in the next day? Genuinely asking, because the motivation part is where I'm stuck.