The initial outreach and response time were quick and seamless, which I appreciated. I was asked to complete an application form and a follow-up asynchronous assignment early in the process, both of which were straightforward. That said, the interview flow felt somewhat compressed and confusing. A remote interview ultimately shifted to an in-person meeting with less than 24 hours’ notice, which made coordination more challenging as a working professional. This was my first live conversation with anyone from the organization and it was with the CEO. While I appreciated the opportunity to meet, it did not seem that my background or resume had been fully reviewed in advance, and the role itself was not clearly explained. As the conversation progressed, it became clear to me that the position was not the right fit for my experience. Hotbread Kitchen has a strong mission, and it was valuable to see the program environment and classes firsthand. However, the overall interview process felt somewhat chaotic and could benefit from clearer communication, better sequencing, and more upfront alignment to make the experience more efficient and respectful of everyone’s time. As interview processes often reflect the broader work environment, this raised some questions for me. I ultimately withdrew from the process but wish the team the very best and continued success in their work.