The recruiter reached out to me via LinkedIn, and the first conversation was fine. The second round was with HR, including someone who manages non-U.S. payroll but comes from an immigration law background. I’ve spent over 10 years in global payroll, hold a Certified Payroll Professional license, and have worked extensively with Big 4 firms. During the interview, there were disagreements on international payroll practices—such as the role of hypothetical taxes in tax equalization. I provided accurate information based on both my experience and widely accepted standards. However, I felt dismissed and talked down to, despite being certified in this field. It was uncomfortable and unprofessional to have my expertise questioned in that way. I was not invited to the next round, which in hindsight was for the best. The interaction raised concerns for me about the team’s openness to expert input and how payroll is managed there. Candidates with deep experience should be met with respect, not condescension.