I've noticed a pattern during my job search, and I'm curious if others have experienced the same thing.

Whenever I initially reach out to HR regarding an application, a follow-up, or any help during the hiring process, they're usually quite warm. They greet me by my name and respond in a friendly manner.

However, after I've reached the final round of interviews, things seem to change. When I contact HR to ask for an update, they sometimes respond as if they don't recognise me and ask, "Who's this?" Even after I identify myself, the response is usually something along the lines of, "Your candidature is still in progress."

This has happened with multiple HRs across different applications, so it doesn't feel like an isolated incident.

For those who've been through hiring processes or work in HR, is this normal? Have you experienced a similar pattern, and did you eventually receive an offer or a rejection?

I'm interested in hearing your honest experiences?