The interview process was composed of two rounds of just behavioral questions. No assignments or technical component. Cognizant never asked for references nor did any reference check. They were hiring for a new team, so I never got to meet who I would be working directly with directly.
I received a job offer, which was a bit surprising given that there were only 2 rounds of interviews and no request for references. During the verbal offer call, it was conveyed that they had also accepted a candidate for the senior role my position would be working directly with. The pay range for the position was advertised as $125,000 - $153,000. I was told that because they did not have a candidate (in over 500 they claimed to have received) that met all of their criteria, they were lowering the pay scale and only willing to offer $125,000. This felt a bit slimy, as they proclaimed to have over 500 people apply and interviewed several. It was the absolute lowest point in the advertised pay range, but I didn't push back because it was at least in the pay range. It felt like a way to either lowball the position, or a questionable tactic as an opening bid for negotiation. I don’t know, because we never made it to negotiations. Just facts to share and fed flags to consider.
The job is remote with a distributed team across many time zones, and no clarity was offered as to what time zone this position was expected to work within. Which, is a pretty BIG ambiguity, particularly for parents and caregivers trying to know how to structure their day and sort out childcare.
After the initial offer call, the HR recruiter was going to touch base with the hiring manager to land on a start date. In the meantime, I sent the HR recruiter an email to express my excitement and enthusiasm and to ask for clarity on 2 working conditions: 1) the time zone I would need to keep, and 2) if I could meet my future co-worker, the senior position they had just hired, so that we could meet before accepting the position.
As any seasoned professional knows, who you work with is critically important to your day-to-day. In response to asking to meet my future team member and asking for clarity on my working hours, the job offer was rescinded.
Absolutely shocking way to comport business and build teams. 1000% bullet dodged! I get this is a rough job market (April of 2025), but that doesn't excuse behavior like this. People deserve to know who they will be working with and during what hours. Lesson learned, ask the important questions up front. It may lead to an uncomfortable situation, but it can also help you dodge a bullet! An essential life skill is to ask thoughtful questions. You are interviewing a company just as much as they are interviewing you. Happy hunting friends!