"Just move" is something someone without any empathy for other people's circumstances would say - most people aren't capable of "just moving" as if the only concern is choosing an employer.
No disagreement on the good recommendation as a signal, but I doubt that'll matter to the HC if I can't pass 3/5 rounds at the minimum.
That long enough part is the kicker and that terrifies me in every job search (to the extent I have sometimes jumped at the first half decent opportunity, and agreed to salaries below my potential). I find it does help to apply often and everywhere and not be invested in any particular opportunity.
With dating they say every failed relationship is a step toward finding the right one, and I think that same principle applies to job interviews.
Anyways, that’s my two cents
Mind you, he would probably have turned us down anyway to go do a PhD, so he probably dodged a bullet.