For the initial interview, the recruiter's tone was so cold and disheartening. It was like I was on some kind of chopping block. She immediately asked about my family upbringing and my experience in public school, and how that shaped my values. How do these very personal experiences affect my work in operations? I was also asked incredibly leading questions that tried to justify the school's strict, militant environment, such as "Do you think that a stricter environment in your school would have led you to further success in life?" What kind of question is that?

After submitting my application, I was invited to a 30-minute Zoom interview. The scheduling was moved up by a day because of changes in the interview calendar. The interview itself felt unusual. The atmosphere was not especially welcoming, and the questions asked were very different from what I expected. Instead of being asked about my professional background or skills, nearly every question centered on discipline: “What was a virtue instilled in your childhood?” “How were you disciplined in middle school?” “What consequences did you receive for not doing your homework?” and “How do you respond to criticism and feedback?” None of the questions related to the position itself, and I had no opportunity to showcase my qualifications or experience. The focus on consequences and compliance seemed misplaced and made me question what the work environment might be like. In the end, I did not move forward in the process, but I felt more relieved than disappointed. My suggestion would be for the company to make the interview process more relevant to the roles they are hiring for and to create an environment where candidates can demonstrate their actual skills. Advice to candidates: Consider carefully whether this type of process aligns with what you are looking for in an employer.