I had a disappointing experience with the hiring process. In November, I received a phone call from someone at the company right before I was about to start an interview. I politely mentioned that it wasn’t a good time and asked if an email could be sent so I could provide my availability. However, no email followed. A week later, I followed up with a voicemail but didn’t hear back. About a month later, someone else from the company reached out regarding another role. A bit confused, I asked if it was related to the previous opportunity, but it wasn’t. After reviewing my materials, they noted I was overqualified for their role. I then asked for an update on the initial role, and later learned that my application had been declined because the initial individual had perceived my initial response as rude and unprofessional. I found this surprising and concerning, as I had simply requested an email follow-up due to timing. It’s disappointing that this was interpreted negatively and communicated in a way that impacted my application. I hope the team reviews these situations carefully to ensure fair and professional hiring practices in the future.