The first interview went well. The hiring manager asked insightful questions and explained how the role fit within the wider team. However, the second stage with HR was disappointing. I was asked about my previous salary, which I declined to disclose due to confidentiality agreements. The HR representative also refused to share the role’s salary range even though it was publicly noted on the job advert. I was rejected the next day, despite being told the hiring manager thought I ‘was brilliant’. The whole experience felt unprofessional and outdated. The advertised salary was already below market, and the role required commuting between London and Cambridge five days a week which was not clear from the job advert. I’ve since secured a much better role. In hindsight, I’m glad things worked out this way — it doesn’t seem like the kind of environment I’d want to be part of.