I interviewed for a senior specialist/program management role and went through five rounds, including a case study presentation. The first interview with the recruiter was short and felt rushed, but I felt I had addressed everything efficiently. The second interviewer looked visibly tired and disengaged—he yawned during the intro and quickly passed me to another hiring manager. The third interview with the hiring manager was engaging. We walked through my experience, and he sent a case study to present in-person. The fourth round was especially disappointing. It was in-person with the hiring manager and the project management leader. I presented my case study, but there was almost no interaction. The head of project management didn’t even bother to look at my resume. Her non-verbal communication was cold and unwelcoming, while the hiring manager seemed disengaged. Do you know how difficult it is to present a case study to people who are not enthusiastic, not warm, and give off an uninviting energy? I left feeling unsure if my work had even been reviewed or why I was treated so rudely. The final interview was right after and was more personal and conversational, which I appreciated—especially after the disappointing experience just prior. BOTTOM LINE: It’s frustrating to put so much effort into creating thoughtful presentations, proposals, and case studies—often dedicating hours or even days—only to receive a generic rejection without any feedback. Behind every application is a person investing their time, energy, and creativity, and that effort deserves acknowledgment. It’s NOT okay for interviewers to come unprepared—reading a candidate’s resume should be standard. Non-verbal communication also matters—yawning, slouching, or showing disinterest can make candidates feel uncomfortable and undervalued. Success Academy sets high standards for students, and the same should be expected from their interviewers. Every candidate deserves to feel valued throughout the process. I hope this feedback inspires positive change.