I interviewed with the hiring manager and HR which went really well and both were very nice initially. I have all the skills and background required for the position and additional ones that were considered a plus/advantage for the position. During the interview with HR I discussed many things including my need for a work visa and HR assured me that it would not be a problem and even explained some details about the process. I was then set up to do a final interview which consists of a seminar and series of short interviews with different members of the team across function and seniority level. I was very excited and really wanted to work at Broad because of the cutting-edge science they do and felt it was the right fit for me. I spent a whole week prepping for my seminar and was also really looking forward to talk to the rest of the team members especially because I found out one of them had worked on the same disease target I had worked on before. Then just 17 hours before my scheduled final interview I received a call from HR telling me they would like to cancel my interview because they decided they are not willing to sponsor a work visa for me due to the processing time. I had been rejected all kinds of ways before but this was just the most shocking and terrible one I have ever had to hear. HR said things like, "if things change we can always reschedule your interview", or that they could consider me for other opportunities in the future and she also said she would have a meeting with their immigration people the next day and promised to give me an update later. I did not believe she would do this and of course she did not (I never heard back from her again), because when they say this kind of things it's more for them not to feel bad about what they are doing to you than it is to make you feel better. The institute's website is full of statements about diversity and inclusion and how awesome it is to work there. But just because their job application page mentions EEO and that they are not supposed to discriminate based on race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, etc., it does not mean they would not discriminate against you in other ways. It does not matter if you are a smart, highly qualified person who always makes meaningful contribution to every team and workplace you are part of. At the end of the day I felt like a piece of trash not worthy of dignity, respect, human feelings and consideration.

Got to interact with a lot of great scientist in the interview process! Learned a lot from their trajectories and why working at the Broad was a great place to start my next career chapter!