Online Application: I submitted my resume and portfolio through their careers page. Email Invitation: I received a short email inviting me for the first interview. Three-Stage Interview: - First Interview: Met with two team members. Included a portfolio review and general personality assessment. - Second Interview: In-person interview with a more senior team member and another interviewer. Focused on experience and company culture fit. - Third Interview: Day-long in-office session with a team member. Involved a case study and collaboration with other team members (approximately six hours). (+)Pros in this interview include: The interview process involved interesting tasks and provided a chance to showcase my skills (-)Cons in this interview include: Misleading Feedback: Throughout the three-stage interview process, I received consistently positive feedback on my performance and the quality of my work. This created a strong expectation of a potential offer, making the final rejection particularly disappointing. Unprofessional Communication: My final interview feedback arrived via Whatsapp, an informal platform that doesn't align with professional communication standards. Additionally, my initial third interview was cancelled only two days prior due to their "mistakenly reading the schedule." This lack of organization and respect for the candidate's time is concerning. Unclear Rejection Rationale: My rejection was based on concerns about "cultural fit" stemming from a single comment I made during the interview. This justification felt subjective and failed to address my demonstrated skills and experience. Ironically, my background includes a successful career in flat, non-hierarchical environments, which directly contradicts their perception. Inconsistent Assessment: The feedback regarding my personality seemed contradictory. Despite my extroverted nature, they perceived me as not being "fun" or pass the "vibe check" based on my initial interview demeanor. This seems like an unfair judgment considering the interview setting might naturally lead to a more professional approach initially. Unethical Salary Discussion: During the first interview, a team member requested my salary range in front of another team member. This disregards recommended practices and can potentially influence salary negotiations. Unconventional Senior-Level Assessment: As someone applying for a senior position, I found it unusual to be asked to complete a UX case study typically used to assess junior or mid-level candidates. This raised questions about the company's evaluation process for senior roles. Lack of Diversity: During the interview process, I noticed a lack of representation from people of color within the company. This, along with the justification for my rejection, suggests a potential bias against hiring candidates from diverse backgrounds. I was informed I would be the first non-Dutch, English-speaking person they hired, which further reinforces the notion that my international background may have played a role in the decision.