My interview process started off fine—I met with the recruiter, who then passed me along to the hiring manager. Next came the assignment, which was not only vague but also identical to one I had been given for a completely different position a few years ago. Despite this, I put my best effort into creating a deck filled with strategies I’ve successfully implemented in the past. Unfortunately, I was later informed that they wouldn’t be moving forward with my candidacy. To make matters worse, I was told, "It is against our company policy to provide specific feedback." While I was proud of what I submitted, I can’t help but second-guess myself now, wondering what went wrong. It’s frustrating—and honestly, not a great look for the company—to take the time to gather strategies and insights from a candidate without offering even a hint of feedback on why their work didn’t make the cut. This experience has made me more thoughtful about the kind of companies I want to work with. Transparency, respect for a candidate’s time, and constructive feedback are essential to building trust, even during the hiring process. Moving forward, I’ll prioritize organizations that not only align with my skills but also value open communication throughout the journey.