strange, had an interview with hiring manager I have a cross section of skills covering video and lighting which is a rareity and was mentioned in 1st interview. it went amazingly well we got on very well too. Was told next interview would just be the standard HR interview, can you work in the uk do you need a visa etc and not to worry about it. I prepped everything for it anyway had passport to hand and documents for a hr interview. What actually happened was those questions got asked and then the hr person decided to ask very technical questions that was not expected, Then was told they dont know the answers and will just write down answers and reactions and get somebody else to judge them. This made me incredibly nervous not for my lack of skills but for not being prepared for it. Spent all night not sleeping from stress I had messed up na job that sounded perfect, Woke at 4am emailed hr person with explanation to every tech question asked with examples and links to pdfs. I was told id have a response in a week. 3 weeks later I then got a phonecall from the agency, I had been rejected for not having enough experience. The job wanted 5 years i have 13 years. Initial Interview and Expectations I had a first interview with the Hiring Manager, which, by all accounts, went exceptionally well. We established an excellent rapport, and my rare cross-section of skills in both video and lighting was explicitly acknowledged as a significant asset to the role. Following this, I was informed that the next stage would be a standard HR interview, focusing purely on procedural matters such as my right to work in the UK and visa requirements. I was explicitly advised not to worry about the content. The Unexpected Technical Interview Despite the instruction not to worry, I prepared thoroughly, ensuring all relevant documents (e.g., passport, right-to-work documents) were readily available. What transpired, however, deviated significantly from what was communicated: The interview began with the expected HR compliance questions. The HR representative then unexpectedly proceeded to ask a series of highly technical questions for which I was not prepared. The interviewer admitted they did not know the answers themselves, stating they would simply record my responses and reactions for a third party to judge later. This situation caused me considerable stress and anxiety, not due to any lack of skills, but due to the complete lack of preparation time for a technical assessment. Post-Interview Follow-Up and Outcome The stress of this unexpected assessment led to a sleepless night, during which I felt I had possibly jeopardised a perfect opportunity. At 4 am, I sent a comprehensive follow-up email to the HR representative. This email meticulously explained every technical question asked, providing detailed examples and links to supporting PDF documents to demonstrate my proficiency. I was initially told I would receive a response within a week. Three weeks later, I was contacted by the agency and informed that I had been rejected for not having enough experience. This is demonstrably false, as the job requested five years of experience, and I currently possess 13 years. Furthermore, I have since been completely ghosted by the organisation. Reflection and Organisational Impact As a neurodiverse individual, having prior knowledge of the interview structure and content is essential for me to prepare properly. The technical questions presented without warning, despite prior assurances, effectively sideswiped my preparation. The recruitment process is a crucial window into your organisation. Given that our industry is very small and people talk, this experience has left much to be desired. The lack of communication, the misleading information regarding the interview structure, and the incorrect reason given for rejection reflect poorly on your organisation’s professionalism and recruitment standards.