I'm interviewing right now as part of the job search and just passed a very in-depth and rigorous technical interview. The problem is, during my conversation with the lead dev and in the course of receiving direction, I just found... I really didn't like him. I also had problems with the stack and just am generally uninterested in the work as I've learned more about it through the interview process.
Now they're pushing me for a follow-up and quick hire. I'm not interested in ever working with the recruiter who placed me again - he's consistently ignored my concerns and desires about finding work - but is there any way to let the company down? They're a major player and I don't want to burn bridges (I'm a junior candidate).
Doesn't culture fit go both ways? I feel like no matter what I say, they'll be angry I "wasted their time" but I didn't know my decision until I learned what I learned during the interview...
As a general point, as a hiring manager, I don't tend to feel that someone's playing me unless we've actually agreed with them that they're taking a role (going as far as agreeing a start date, comp etc) and they then don't join. Fundamentally it comes down to whether or not we've stopped looking for other candidates. If we haven't stopped looking, you're not really putting us out at all.