I had very positive interactions with the individuals on the team during the interview stages. The initial process felt professional and engaging. However, a major issue arose when the job offer was extended. The compensation structure was significantly unclear, leading me to believe the post-probation period salary would be unacceptably low based on my market research. Due to this vagueness, I declined the offer and accepted a role elsewhere. A recruiter later reached out to clarify the compensation structure and encouraged me to reconsider, assuring me the salary was better than my interpretation. I agreed to a follow-up call with the hiring manager to clear up the confusion. During this conversation, the hiring manager was highly defensive and agitated regarding my simple request for clarity on their initial, ambiguous offer. His reaction to an honest misunderstanding about the terms was unprofessional and unexpected. This interaction served as a significant red flag. It suggests that the company may handle internal and external communication breakdowns poorly. I now feel relieved I did not move forward, as the manager's behavior sadly aligns with several negative reviews I later found regarding company culture and management practices on Glassdoor.