I want to share my recent candidate experience with Windstar Cruises to offer constructive feedback for improvement. I was scheduled for a virtual interview and made multiple attempts to join the Microsoft Teams meeting prior to and shortly after the scheduled time. Unfortunately, I encountered technical issues that prevented me from connecting. Within minutes, I attempted to call into the meeting, followed up with a voicemail, and then sent an email at 2:20 PM to notify the team that I was actively trying to join and asked if we could proceed or reschedule. Shortly after, I received a response stating that only a five-minute grace period was allowed and that they had already moved on to the next candidate. While I understand the importance of maintaining a schedule, the lack of flexibility or attempt to reach out to me—especially when I was actively trying to connect—was disappointing. From a candidate perspective, a simple phone call or quick outreach could have clarified whether there were genuine technical difficulties versus a lack of professionalism. Instead, the response felt rigid and dismissive, which raised concerns about the company’s communication style and overall approach to employee support and work-life balance. Based on this interaction, I chose not to move forward. I am seeking an organization that values clear communication, understanding, and a more human-centered approach to unforeseen situations. I hope this feedback is taken constructively, as small adjustments in candidate experience can significantly impact how a company is perceived