The interview consisted of a mock kick-off meeting presentation and a cultural fit discussion with two hiring managers. Although the explanation of the guidance provided to new hires was clear, the overall experience was discouraging. The panel displayed a judgmental attitude toward salary negotiations and market-rate comparisons. Furthermore, being told at the very end of the process that a "better candidate" was already lined up suggests a lack of transparency in their recruitment timeline. I would advise future candidates to clarify the status of the role before committing significant time to their preparatory tasks.