My interview process began with a recruiter call, which was positive, friendly, and left me with a good impression of the company and the role. This was followed by a product conversation. Unfortunately, the experience during this stage felt quite different. From the moment the call began, I sensed that the person was disengaged and somewhat disinterested. Their demeanour suggested they were either unprepared or simply not invested in the conversation. I did not progress to the next stage, which I accept. However, the feedback I received was a generic (“didn’t go into enough detail.”), not especially constructive. If the person wanted more depth, it would typically be their responsibility to probe, ask follow-ups, or guide the conversation, especially when discussing complex product problems that require context to unpack. What was most disappointing was that the feedback felt low-effort. Candidates invest significant time preparing for interviews, so it seems reasonable to expect at least one clear, specific reason with examples why someone isn’t the right fit. That level of transparency is not only respectful but also helps candidates improve.

I had an initial screening with HR for a role that aligned very well with my previous experience. Our discussion started positively, with genuine interest in my background. However, once I shared that I had taken a 1.5-year break to recover from childbirth and care for my son, the tone shifted. I was told the company places strong emphasis on recent experience—a fair hiring consideration, but the dismissal of my past achievements because I became a mother was deeply disappointing. As someone re-entering the workforce with proven experience and renewed purpose, I was hoping for a more inclusive and supportive mindset. Unfortunately, that was not the case. This experience left me feeling undervalued and unseen. I would not recommend HeliosX to women—particularly mothers—who are looking for a company that respects career breaks taken for caregiving or personal recovery. I hope the company evolves to reflect more inclusive hiring values in the future.