I initially interviewed with Belzona for the HR Assistant role back in November 2023. I had a positive phone screen with the HR Director, and we scheduled an in-person interview. Due to a conflict and the timing around the holidays, I informed her in advance that I needed to reschedule. She acknowledged it, but after I followed up a couple more times, I never received a response and the process went cold. Fast forward to May 2025, I was contacted by the same HR Director for a similar role and came in for an interview. While one of the interviewers was kind and professional, the HR Manager began the conversation by accusing me of previously being a no-call no-show, which was inaccurate. I explained that I had communicated the need to reschedule and followed up more than once. The tone from that point felt passive-aggressive, and I did not feel the conversation was respectful. One question asked was about how I handle HR-related communication. I mentioned that I am a transparent communicator. This was misinterpreted as a lack of discretion, and I was given an example implying I would disclose confidential salary information, which I clearly stated I would not. Transparency in communication does not mean a disregard for confidentiality, especially in HR. Overall, the interview experience felt tense due to prior assumptions and a lack of professionalism. I left knowing it was not the kind of culture I wanted to be a part of. Advice to future candidates: Document your communication and follow up in writing. If something is misrepresented, call it out directly and professionally. Pay attention to tone and behavior in the room. If you’re being talked down to or met with assumptions instead of questions, take that for what it is. Interviews are a two-way street, and if leadership cannot lead by example during the hiring process, that is a red flag worth paying attention to. Know your worth and don’t settle for anything less than mutual respect.