The initial interview was a pleasant experience. I spoke with two team members who were kind and personable. We discussed my background and qualifications. They asked standard first round interview questions. The next round was more intensive, involving a panel of 7–8 people. I was asked to complete a thought exercise beforehand and present two proposed solutions to hypothetical scenarios. The format included a 20 minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions. After that, there was an additional 40 minute session where each committee member asked questions focused on competencies listed in the job description. While rigorous, the interview went well, and the team was encouraging and told me I was exactly what they were looking for. I was told this would be the final interview, so I was surprised when, several days later (and after business hours) I was contacted to prepare an elevator pitch for a next day presentation. Although I did my best to prepare on short notice, I was ultimately not selected. The overall experience started off strong but ended with a lack of clear communication and shifting expectations. It was disappointing to receive such positive feedback throughout the process only to be unexpectedly asked to complete another round and then rejected without context. I would recommend more transparency in the hiring process and clearer communication about timelines and expectations.