"The initial interaction for the Sr. Content Strategist role at Simplified Global was smooth, but the process soon took a disappointing turn. I made it to the final round, only to be asked—before any offer was extended—for highly sensitive documents like the last three months of salary slips. While verifying compensation ranges is fair, requesting this level of detail upfront felt intrusive and unnecessary. Their HR team also contacted a previous employer to inquire about my conduct—a practice that, while not entirely unheard of, is rarely done without the candidate’s knowledge or consent. This raised serious concerns around boundaries and trust. Throughout the process, HR was also overly pushy when it came to scheduling interviews, often expecting quick turnarounds without considering my availability. When I respectfully raised concerns about these practices and the micromanaged nature of the recruitment experience, my feedback wasn’t well received. Shortly afterward, I was told the position was on hold, with no proper explanation provided. For a remote-first company, such a lack of transparency, flexibility, and trust is worrying. The entire experience felt invasive and left a bad taste. If you value professionalism, respectful communication, and clear boundaries, approach this company with caution."