The first and second interviews went smoothly and were quite case-study oriented, handled with professionalism. I made sure to check in with the interviewers regularly, asking if my approach was on track or if more context was needed. However, the hiring manager interview felt quite unprofessional. For any PM role, it’s standard to validate a case study by reviewing goals, metrics, background, and plans to ensure alignment. Instead, the feedback I received was harsh, noting that I was “overly out of the plan.” This gives me the impression that the HM may have already had a preferred candidate in mind.