Three interview rounds. HR screening, technical interview, and a director interview.
The initial HR screening went well. The recruiter was kind, clear, and informative. The experience shifted sharply after moving forward.
During the technical interview, the interviewers showed clear disinterest. Responses felt disengaged and dismissive, which set a negative tone early. One question stood out. “What did you do when you attended university?” This felt out of place for a mid-career candidate with several years of professional experience. The question added to the sense of misalignment and lack of preparation.
After speaking with many teams across other companies, this lack of engagement stood out. Rapport usually forms quickly in these conversations. Midway through the interview, doubts surfaced about culture fit and team environment.
The director interview felt slightly better, but the same underlying disengagement remained. The conversation felt procedural rather than thoughtful, as if the process mattered more than the people participating.
Overall, the contrast between the recruiter experience and the rest of the process raised concerns about team culture and candidate experience.