The interview process itself was well-structured and thorough, consisting of two technical rounds, a techno-managerial round, and an HR discussion.
The first technical round was conducted online and included theory-based questions along with a React coding exercise. The subsequent rounds were face-to-face, where discussions were largely centered around my resume, followed by another React-based coding question.
However, the experience took a disappointing turn during the salary discussion. During the initial screening call, I was clearly informed that my existing offer (with a 35% increment) could be matched. Based on this assurance, I proceeded through the entire interview process.
After successfully completing all rounds, I was informed that the organization could only offer a 10% increment due to budget constraints. This was unexpected and could have been communicated earlier, which would have saved time for both parties.
While the interview process was good, better internal alignment and transparency regarding budget expectations would significantly improve the overall candidate experience.