The overall interview process was nice and interesting. The questions were good and relevant, without any tricky or unnecessary ones. I also appreciated that they had a detailed understanding of my CV, and we spent meaningful time discussing my experience as well as what they currently use and need. The people I spoke with seemed positive and pleasant.
During the process, I was asked about my salary expectations and provided a range (from X to Y), depending on bonuses and other benefits. I received an offer at the lowest end of that range, with no days off included. I then mentioned that it would be nice — though not a requirement — to slightly increase the salary, as I had expected some days off to be part of the offer. The hiring manager said they would check and get back to me.
The next day, I was informed that they decided to move forward with another candidate, without any discussion about whether the original offer could still work for me. While I understand budget constraints and the decision itself, the way this was handled felt abrupt and unprofessional, especially after an otherwise positive interview experience.
