I had a screening interview with the hiring manager, who would have been my direct supervisor. She was polite and professional throughout the call, and did ask about my relevant experience. However, a significant portion of the interview focused heavily on the gaps in my résumé. The questioning around those gaps felt more intense than expected and a bit scrutinizing, especially considering this information was clearly visible on my application beforehand. It left me wondering why I was invited to interview if those gaps were going to be such a major concern. The emphasis felt more on justifying my résumé history rather than evaluating my skills and potential contributions. I received a rejection email later that same week. Overall, while the process was timely and professional, it didn’t feel like a balanced assessment of my capabilities.