I went through three rounds of interviews, provided references, and completed a case study. No deadline was given for the case study, so I proactively communicated when I’d submit it and followed through on time. The program manager was professional and engaging. He asked thoughtful questions and seemed genuinely interested in the conversation. Said I asked good questions, I know what to ask to get a good idea of company culture. In contrast, my experience with the HR representative was disappointing. She was late to both interviews and appeared disengaged during our final conversation. Despite starting late, I was told I had gone over the scheduled time, which was 20 minutes to review the case study I put quite a bit of work into. At times, the tone of the interaction felt like they were testing how much unprofessional behavior I might tolerate. Combined with what I’ve since learned about the company’s leadership reputation, which multiple sources describe as toxic, this gave me real pause. While there were some positives in the process, particularly my interaction with the program manager, the overall experience raised concerns about internal dynamics, communication, and culture. Coming out of a previously unhealthy work environment, I’m prioritizing companies that demonstrate strong values and professionalism from the start. Ultimately I am grateful that I did not get an offer.