The initial screening call was very pleasant. There were several weeks between the HR screen and the actual interview. I interviewed with a panel of 3 people at the DC office. From the very beginning it was awkward and seemed like the program manager lacked interviewing skills. The panel sat scattered throughout the room and when I asked where to sit, the PM did not direct me. I could tell within the first several minutes that the team either already had someone chosen and was there just to check off the box of interviewing another person or really had decided they were not interested in me before I had arrived. The interview was dry, emotion-less, and ended abruptly. I had considered this job a "dream job" but after the interview, I knew I couldn't see myself on that team and that the feeling was reciprocated. Super awkward, but I guess those experiences are bound to happen! C'est la vie.