The recruiter I interacted with was both insensitive and unprofessional. Upon learning my current salary (well beyond their stated budget) she immediately shifted the conversation into unsolicited advice, as though I had asked for career guidance. She suggested I apply for a Manager role instead, claiming that my responses didn’t meet her standards and even instructed me on how I “should” answer, despite having no understanding of my background, work ethic, or achievements. I would have appreciated honesty from the start rather than being condescended to. My experience has brought me to where I am today, and I won’t accept being belittled by someone who knows nothing about me. If a company cannot afford a candidate, they should be transparent about their budget upfront to avoid wasting anyone’s time. And more importantly, they should employ recruiters who are objective, respectful, and know the appropriate context for offering advice.