I was contacted directly by iOCO’s talent team and did not apply for the role myself. The second round interview was scheduled for 30 minutes but lasted about an hour. Midway through, the panel stated that they had already decided I was not a fit, yet the interview continued for a further 30 minutes. Much of the remaining time shifted from assessment to unsolicited career guidance and counselling. While feedback was immediate and framed as misalignment rather than lack of ability, the timing and structure of the rejection made the experience confusing and poorly managed.