The interview was an extensive process which consisted of four stages. The first stage was a call with HR to discuss my background and the position. This was followed by a technical call with the tech team, where I was also given a take-home assessment to complete. The third stage involved a call to review my assessment with the tech team, where we discussed my approach and solutions in detail. The final stage was a call with the COO, providing a great opportunity to understand the company’s strategic vision and discuss how I could contribute. Throughout the process, the feedback was positive, and each stage felt successful. However, despite the positive feedback, I was later informed by HR that I would not be receiving an offer because the budget for the role was below my salary expectations.