I recently submitted my resume for a position online and received a prompt email from the hiring manager expressing interest in my candidacy. After confirming my continued interest, we scheduled a meeting to discuss further. Initially, I anticipated a casual conversation to learn more about the company and the role. However, to my surprise, it turned out to be a comprehensive interview involving the hiring manager, peer manager, and skip manager, without the involvement of a recruiter or HR representative. The interview itself was relatively straightforward, focusing on typical questions and answers. It struck me as unusual that they chose to address all inquiries before delving into the specifics of the role, especially given that this was our first interaction. While the role itself seemed clear-cut, there was minimal effort to persuade me on the company or its offerings. They did express a concern about the possibility of working three days a week in-office, which I confirmed I was open to, although I suspect this may evolve to more days in-office in the near future. The commute, however, poses a challenge due to traffic congestion, which is a potential red flag for me. Additionally, I found it surprising that there was no discussion whatsoever regarding salary or total compensation. Based on previous experiences, I am aware that they may offer significantly lower compensation, and given the apparent lack of investment in employee development by the leadership, I am doubtful that this will change anytime soon. Given the numerous layoffs the company has undergone, I was taken aback by their decision to hire, and overall, the experience felt rather unusual.