This happened a long time ago, back in 2016, but I thought I’d share it. It was one of the best interviews I’ve ever had. The recruiter and I both had backgrounds in oil and gas, which served as a great icebreaker. The entire interview felt like a normal, light conversation; it started and ended on a positive note. Having an HR background was a big advantage since it helped me understand the interview flow, anticipate the questions, and prepare my answers effectively. However, I had a hunch that the role was meant to replace an employee who had been there for 10 years. I assumed this person had likely recommended a successor, making the candidate vetting process more of a formality.