While I didn’t get an offer, this was arguably the best interview experience of my life. I will warn that the recruiter screening was a bit rigid; my impression was that the recruiter read down a list of questions and recorded the answers, which felt more similar to an automated assessment than a conversation; with that said, she was respectful and kind, despite the more rigid protocol. The team was communicative at all stages, considerate of my time, and didn’t string me along. The hiring manager clearly cared about getting to know each applicant, factoring in aptitude and long-term goals rather than fixating exclusively on prior experience. He seemed genuinely passionate about helping his reports find a balance where they’re stimulated and able to grow, but not overwhelmed or stressed. I have no doubt that he sets his reports up to succeed and provides support whenever needed. When I met with the team, they lit up when talking about their work and one another; it’s rare to meet people who so clearly love their colleagues and their work, nd for those sentiments to come through so clearly with so little interaction was heartwarming. Unfortunately another candidate outperformed me at the final stage, but I wouldn’t hesitate to explore future opportunities with this team. The company clearly lives by its values — not just for their employees, but with applicants as well.