I recently received a call regarding a Staff Software Development Engineer opportunity, and the experience was extremely disappointing. The recruiter’s tone was rude, dismissive, and unprofessional. After more than a decade in the software industry—and having served on interview panels myself— I have woked very closely to HR's. I have never encountered such discourteous behavior from an HR representative.
Recruiters are the first point of contact and serve as ambassadors of a company’s culture. The way candidates are treated during initial conversations sends a powerful message about how employees are valued internally. This interaction reflected a serious lack of respect and professionalism.
If this is the standard of communication within the recruitment team, it raises concerns about the broader work culture. Companies should ensure their recruiters are trained not only in process but also in basic professional etiquette and respectful communication.
Due to this experience, I declined to proceed further in the interview process. I believe candidates deserve to be treated with dignity, regardless of the stage of discussion. First impressions matter, and unfortunately, this one was overwhelmingly negative.
