Congratulations, e! Ugh. The story of the hiring process is frustrating. Even if it was difficult to decide on one person, I almost feel the hiring committee should have stuck to their original asks and made a decision. It is exhausting for applicants to have to go through unexpected and unplanned additional interviews/essays etc, and a bit unfair. I hope the job is satisfying. I would be honest that I do think it’s hard to play the one and done application game, mainly because if you are rejected that’s so much time you’ve lost. When you have multiple plays in the game, your risk is a bit lower. Not everything riding on one thing. Maybe that would help with your feelings of agency too. When you only had one app out you really are dependent on that one job and their decision. But when you have multiple apps out, the focus is difused and you have multiple chances to “get in the game.” Just something to consider if it might help you feel more in control of things. I hope it goes well! From another e.