It happens to candidates! Let's not forget what we have to go through, 6 or 7-stage interview processes, that requires a lot of preparation, as if we don't deserve the time to have a life too. Fake jobs, scammers, dodgy "take-home tests" containing malicious packages, cancelled interviews on the day, cancellation of the role in the middle of the hiring process, change of hiring plans, requests to record videos before talking to someone, ghosting, interviewers not interested in interviewing, zero feedback, etc.
Companies that have a 7 round interview process are not serious in hiring in general. Sure if some super-genius comes along.
But no, it's just a performance. The director can claim they're behind on projects because they don't have enough staff, but everyone they interview isn't qualified (because the interviews are impossible and nearly everyone trips up)
I started seeing this pattern recently.
The companies that are serious move fast. A chat with the hiring manager. A couple technical interviews, maybe on-site for 2 hours. A chat with someone higher up. Done, offer made.