I received a call from HR to set up the interview. I was asked to prepare a two-slide presentation covering:

• Project Architecture
• Challenges
• Contributions, etc.

I was instructed to have a computer ready and join the call, as I might need to share my screen and type code if asked.

The interview took place with three individuals on their side. Nothing significant was asked, and there were no challenging questions. Towards the end, I was asked about my salary expectations and then if I would consider joining for less. Naturally, I declined.

I don't recall if the interviewer was a manager; he was certainly not HR. Based on some of the questions he asked about my project, he sounded like an individual contributor. What business does an individual contributor have asking for a candidate's salary? Even if they had to ask, aren't these details confidential? Would one ask in front of two other people?

Then came the standard statement: "HR will get back to you."

I literally had to prompt HR to inform me that they would not be proceeding. That was it – no feedback, no reasons given. As a candidate, when I invest time in taking the call and preparing a presentation, it is my right to know the feedback.

It was highly unprofessional on Siemens HR's part not to share feedback. Also, the salary could have been asked upfront to check if they could afford it.

Total waste of time. Completely unorganized.

Nothing challenging at all. The most difficult question was, would you consider joining for less?