My interview process began with an initial phone call, during which I was transparent about having an existing offer. They still proceeded with the interviews, and I was eventually selected. During discussions with their CTO, it became clear that management was uncertain about what they could offer. They tried to persuade me to accept a lower package, implying that I might leave later if a better offer came along — which made me uncomfortable. After that, the HR team sent an offer substantially lower than what I had expected. When I raised the issue, I was told that was the maximum budget available. Then they asked me to join within a very short time frame, even though I had clearly explained that I needed a reasonable notice period for my current employer. When I tried to negotiate, I was asked to join within an impractically short time, which was not feasible for me. Overall, the process felt inconsistent. It seemed as if the management itself was unsure what they wanted. They should decide their budget beforehand — otherwise they waste candidates’ time. Furthermore, it’s disappointing that I still haven’t received a clear response on the status of my application. Fun fact: Somehow I got to know that the cto of company resigned one month after this process. Seems he got fomo of his salary.