The interview process itself was professional and well-organized, with three rounds including a final panel discussion. The interviewers were courteous, the conversations were engaging and the questions were fair and straightforward. It was also clear that the role attracted a high level of competition, which I completely understood and respected. What ultimately made the experience disappointing was what happened afterward. It took over 9 weeks to receive a final decision and shortly after I was informed that I was not selected, the same position was reposted with a significantly lower salary range: Dropping from $64,000–$87,000 CAD to $64,000–$76,000 CAD. For a company that operates at a large scale and reports substantial revenue, this decision came across as disheartening. It suggests a willingness to reduce compensation expectations simply because of high applicant volume. While I respect every organization’s right to manage budgets as they see fit, it left the impression that the company prioritizes cost-cutting over fair compensation. Especially considering the amount of time and effort candidates invest in the process. I’m grateful for the opportunity to interview and for the professionalism of the team, but the outcome and subsequent salary adjustment left a lasting negative impression.