[retiredcoder]

Sorry, but I’ll call BS here.

I have a very solid network inside google (ex-coworkers from another FAANG job) and also from xooglers, at IC and management track.

Even in my last interview failure (see my post here), the recruiter told me I had more than enough to support my application. Yet, an exec made the no-go call.

[bitL]

Ok, I know a person that was stopped at the founder's level ("no way that person could ever work here."). Pity a VP blocked you, such things can always happen both ways, regardless of your interview performance/likability.