I had a promising start with the initial two interview rounds. The interviewers were professional, engaging, and provided valuable insights into the company culture and role expectations. However, my experience took a sharp downturn during the compensation discussion with the HR representative. The HR individual displayed an alarming level of rigidity and rudeness throughout the negotiation process. Despite my attempts to engage in a constructive dialogue regarding compensation, she maintained an adamant “take it or leave it” attitude, which I found both unprofessional and disrespectful. Negotiating compensation is a standard and expected part of the hiring process, yet the HR representative seemed unwilling to consider any form of compromise or flexibility. This inflexibility and lack of professionalism left a sour taste in my mouth and ultimately led me to decline the offer. It’s disappointing that such an otherwise promising opportunity was overshadowed by the conduct of the HR department. I hope that Telstra takes steps to address these issues in the future to ensure a more respectful and collaborative hiring process for all candidates.