Interviewed through WalkWater Talent Advisors for a leadership role. The process involved multiple rounds, but the experience was disappointing overall. A significant amount of emphasis was placed on IIT/IIM pedigree throughout the conversations, often in a way that felt dismissive toward candidates from non-tier-1 institutions. The tone during interviews came across as unnecessarily condescending and exclusionary, which made the process uncomfortable and discouraging. What was particularly surprising was that these expectations and biases were not communicated upfront, which could have saved both sides considerable time. Post-interview research and industry conversations also raised concerns around leadership culture, high attrition, and a hire-and-fire environment, along with compensation that did not appear aligned with expectations for the role. Would recommend candidates evaluate the cultural fit carefully before investing significant time in the process.