The experience was far from welcoming. Although I was quite nervous that day, I found—both from my own experience and after consulting others—that the interview lacked professionalism. I did not feel taken seriously or welcome, which only heightened my anxiety. Despite arriving on time, I had to wait an additional 30 minutes. The interview occurred at the onset of the COVID-19 wave when social distancing and masks were mandatory, but these precautions were ignored in the small interview space. I was the only one wearing a mask and felt extremely uncomfortable sitting knee-to-knee with the two interviewers. When they didn't understand what I said, they subtly mocked the situation instead of asking for clarification. There was no follow-up, not even to inform me that I hadn't been selected for the next round. I had prepared a script of things I wanted to say, and I believe I would have felt more at ease if the interview had been conducted professionally and if I had been treated as a serious candidate rather than an inconvenience.
