The initial interview process began with a recruiter screen and was followed by a conversation with the hiring manager, Chris. While the role itself seemed interesting and aligned with my experience, the interview with the hiring manager was unexpectedly difficult. Chris came across as disengaged and at times dismissive, which made it hard to establish a productive conversation. It felt more like a one-sided interrogation than a dialogue about mutual fit. The lack of clarity and inconsistent communication throughout the process ultimately left a negative impression.