The HR round was straightforward, but there was an early emphasis on salary negotiation, with limited flexibility on their end, which set a slightly tense tone for the rest of the process. The interaction with the Dean was more academically oriented and focused heavily on theoretical articulation. The questioning style leaned toward being highly critical and at times dismissive, which may be challenging for applicants who come from an industry or practitioner background. The interviewer expected very formal, citation-driven explanations for application based concepts. While the questions themselves were relevant to the role, the tone of delivery made the interaction feel more adversarial than conversational. Instead of exploring my experience or practical approach, the emphasis was on challenging definitions and responses. Candidates who prefer a collaborative or discussion-based interview style may find this dynamic uncomfortable.