My interview process involved an initial HR screening, followed by conversations with a colleague in a similar role who was acting as the team lead at a different location, an individual who previously held the position, and two managers who collaborate closely with the team, though they wouldn't be my direct supervisors. The initial HR screening left me with some uncertainty about the specifics of the role, particularly concerning the location. Many of my fundamental questions remained unanswered. My conversation with the team lead painted a positive picture of the position itself. However, they also highlighted the significant change and uncertainty within the company due to recent layoffs, which gave me the impression that the company lacked a clear strategic direction. This theme resonated throughout my subsequent interviews. The two manager interviews presented a stark contrast. One manager expressed genuine enthusiasm for working at Okta, clearly enjoyed their work, and spoke positively about the team I would potentially be joining. The other interview was quite unusual. This manager held a printed copy of my resume up to the camera and proceeded to review it point by point, offering comments, sometimes posing questions, and occasionally making what I perceived as snarky remarks. The experience felt bizarre, especially considering this was the final interview in the process. Given these experiences, I decided to politely and professionally inform the company that I would not be moving forward in the interview process. I wished them well in their search and expressed my hope that the individual who ultimately accepts the position will have a more positive and professional onboarding experience.

The communication from HR was effective and clear, providing a virtual explanation of the job role and its associated benefits, with appropriate follow-up,The discussion was satisfactory, however, due to the inability to meet the required salary and notice period, the conversation could not be continued.