Merkle interview questions

Highly unprofessional. Major red flags everywhere. I applied through a referral and got the opportunity to interview. The overall process had three rounds: Technical, HM Technical, and HR discussion. I cleared all the interview rounds, submitted documents, and was told by HR that they would release an offer letter as soon as they received confirmation from their seniors regarding my salary expectations. The very next day, I received a call saying they could only offer me 40% less than my expectations. I had been transparent about my salary expectations from the beginning, so being lowballed after completing all the interviews was disappointing. Despite this, I did not decline the offer and was willing to accept whatever they offered. The following week, I tried to follow up, but the HR team was highly unprofessional, not responding to any of my calls or emails. Later on, I get a freaking TEXT MESSAGE saying the POSITION IS ON HOLD!. Can someone please explain how HR and the Hiring Manager can have zero clue about the hiring status and interview candidates just to waste their time? Please treat your candidates like human beings—it doesn't hurt to call them and tell the truth instead of sending a text message.

There are like 3-4 rounds of process & Throughout the interview process, clear communication and professionalism are key for both candidates and employers to ensure a positive experience and successful outcome. All the best!