I went through four interviews and a technical test for a role I was clearly overqualified for — only to be told after all that effort that the team had hoped to upgrade the position to a more senior level... but hadn’t actually secured approval. That crucial detail was kept quiet until the very end, when the plan fell through and I was suddenly offered the lower-level role instead. When I tried to negotiate a salary that reflected my experience, the door was slammed shut with no discussion. I asked for a delayed start date — again, instantly rejected. What made it worse was the contrast between the messaging and reality. They spent a lot of time talking about culture, flexibility, and onboarding people the “right way” — but the moment I pushed for even basic flexibility, the corporate mask came off. This wasn’t just a case of poor communication — it felt like a deliberate lack of transparency that wasted my time and left a bad taste. I expected better from a company of this size and reputation. If you’re experienced, be cautious — the process may look collaborative on the surface, but the decision-making is anything but.