The recruiter was offshore personnel who appeared uninterested and disengaged during the screening interview. He mentioned the company had gone through bankruptcy and now operates with fewer brands.
The second interview with the hiring manager raised similar concerns. She displayed a lack of enthusiasm and did not seem fully knowledgeable about the process. She also referenced the company's bankruptcy, significant layoffs, and offshoring of certain functions.
During the video call, she used a digital background, but at one point, a man unexpectedly appeared in the frame and briefly exposed his backside. The hiring manager noticed and tried to block the view by moving closer to the camera, but it was unsuccessful. While I hope what I saw was a misunderstanding, the fact that someone not affiliated with the company was present and visible during the interview was highly unprofessional and inappropriate.
Overall, both interactions raised red flags about the company’s professionalism and culture. As a result, I’ve decided to rescind my application.