The first round was with the recruiter, who came across as genuinely enthusiastic and supportive. That interaction gave me confidence in the company and made me look forward to the technical rounds.

However, the next conversation with the hiring manager was very different. He seemed disengaged, didn’t address my questions about team communication practices, and gave me the impression that his management style might not foster long-term growth. Based on that, I couldn’t see myself thriving under his supervision, so I decided to withdraw from the process rather than continue with interviews that would be a waste of time.

What do you care about the team you work with?