The process started with the HR team, who were upfront about taking all necessary details, including current and expected CTC. Initially, they seemed to be okay with those numbers, which set a positive tone. However, the technical rounds were the real highlight of the process. The interviews were thorough and detailed, allowing me to demonstrate my skills. The technical interviewers provided immediate feedback, which was encouraging and showed that they valued the input. Unfortunately, the experience took a sharp turn after the technical rounds. I was informed that while the team was impressed with my technical skills, my expected salary was significantly higher than their budget. They quoted a difference of around 7 to 8 lakhs and mentioned that they would get back to me in a week. This left me disappointed and shocked. What bothered me most was that the HR team never indicated that there was a budget constraint before the technical interviews. Had they been upfront about this earlier in the process, it would have saved both my time and theirs. It felt like they wasted nearly a month of my time before dropping this bombshell. Cons: Lack of Transparency Regarding Budget: The major downside was the lack of transparency about the salary budget. The HR team didn’t mention this constraint before the technical interviews, which led to wasted time for both you and the company. This felt like a significant misstep on their part, as being upfront about budget limitations could have saved everyone time and effort. Salary Mismatch: The sudden revelation that your salary expectations were far beyond their budget (7-8 lakh difference) was a shock, especially after the positive feedback in the technical rounds. It created unnecessary disappointment. Cons: Time Wasted: The whole process, spanning almost a month, felt like it could have been handled better with earlier clarity on budget constraints, saving both your time and theirs. Summary: While cloud odyssey seems to have a solid technical interview process with clear communication upfront, the lack of transparency about salary expectations significantly impacted the overall experience. A more transparent approach regarding budget would have helped avoid the frustration and disappointment you experienced.