I wanted to share my experience to help future candidates prepare better. I interview with Opswat late January and went through extensive process, of about 7 different steps. During my interview, I was tasked with giving a presentation, and the day before, I was told by the interviewer, leadership, that I could present on any tech-related topic I knew well—essentially, they wanted to see how I present. With less than 24 hours to adjust, I decided to present my company’s product offering, focusing on its value proposition and differentiators to demonstrate my expertise and ability to communicate complex technical solutions effectively. To ensure I was on the right track, I even put together a detailed outline and sent it to the team the night before. I didn’t receive any feedback, so I assumed I was aligned with their expectations. However, about 33 minutes into the presentation, I was abruptly stopped and told my approach wasn’t exactly what they were looking for, suggesting there had been some miscommunication. This was frustrating because I had followed the instructions provided, prepared thoroughly, and acted in good faith. If the goal was to evaluate my presentation skills, I believe I should have been allowed to finish rather than being cut off mid-way. Interviews are a two-way evaluation process, and candidates deserve the same level of respect and professionalism they are expected to show. This experience left me questioning the internal communication and alignment within the interview process. I hope the company reflects on this to improve the experience for future candidates. **Recommendation for Improving the Interview Experience at Opswat** 1. **Clarify Expectations Clearly and Early:** Provide detailed guidelines about the presentation format and content well in advance. If the goal is to evaluate presentation skills rather than technical depth, that distinction should be made clear upfront to avoid misalignment. 2. **Confirm Alignment Beforehand:** If a candidate submits an outline or proposal for the presentation, provide timely feedback to confirm alignment. This ensures the candidate is not left guessing whether they are on the right track. 3. **Allow Candidates to Complete Their Presentation:** If the goal is to assess presentation skills, cutting a candidate off mid-way can undermine the evaluation process and frustrate the candidate. Letting them finish provides a more accurate view of their ability to communicate and handle complex information. 4. **Create a Two-Way Evaluation Environment:** Candidates are evaluating the company as much as the company is evaluating them. Encouraging open dialogue and maintaining professionalism during the process will reflect positively on the company’s culture. 5. **Provide Constructive Feedback Post-Interview:** If a presentation or response doesn’t meet expectations, explain why and offer suggestions for improvement. This helps the candidate feel respected and leaves them with a positive impression, even if they aren’t selected. Implementing these steps can help ensure a more professional and positive candidate experience, improving Opswat’s reputation and attracting stronger talent.