I was proactively recruited and encouraged to move through multiple interview rounds. I enjoyed conversations with the design team, who were thoughtful and easy to talk to. However, an interview with a top leader in product raised concerns. Design was framed as something people frequently “fail” at, and the tone felt dismissive of design as a strategic discipline. It was made clear that design does not truly have a seat at the table. There was heavy emphasis on “radical candor” and feedback, but the interaction felt more like an interrogation than a conversation especially after being actively pursued for the role. After making it to final interviews, the process ended with a short, templated rejection that felt extremely cold. Reading employee reviews afterward helped the experience make more sense.