Recently, a recruiter from Pearson reached out to me via LinkedIn and encouraged me to apply for an eCommerce Product Manager position. After reviewing the description, I applied and soon had my first interview with the recruiter, who explained that my background was a strong fit and the reason they had contacted me. I was then advanced to the next round with the Hiring Manager, with the recommendation to highlight my relevant experience. It was during that interview that I realized the role and manager would not be a good match. From the beginning, the Hiring Manager’s behavior raised red flags. During a simple icebreaker about the weather, he rolled his eyes—something I initially thought I might have imagined, but it quickly became clear this was his demeanor throughout. He proceeded to read off seven prepared questions, which was fine in itself, but his reactions to my answers were dismissive and unprofessional. Comments like “that doesn’t make sense” or sarcastic remarks such as “oookkkkaaaayyyy???” paired with facial expressions were rude and disrespectful. Despite this, I followed the recruiter’s guidance and emphasized my experience, only for the Hiring Manager to interrupt and ask if I had “anything else” to talk about besides my background. Toward the end, he abruptly abandoned his prepared list and asked a technical development question that was irrelevant to a Product Manager’s role—something I interpreted as an attempt to trip me up. When it came time for my questions, I asked a standard one I often use: “What skills or experience do you look for in a Product Manager?” His response—“Well, what is a Product Manager?”—was followed by an uncomfortable silence before he moved on. My final question about team structure was met with a curt “they work in pods…anything else?” before ending the call. Having spent nearly two decades in Product Management and been through many interviews, I can confidently say this was one of the most unprofessional experiences I’ve encountered. The Hiring Manager’s behavior was offensive and dismissive, and it confirmed for me that this was not an environment I’d want to work in. While the experience was negative, I’m ultimately grateful to have seen the reality early rather than discovering it after being hired. Needless to say, I did not send a thank-you note afterward—there was nothing to be thankful for.