Unfortunately, the behavior of the recruiter completely undermined what started as a promising process. I never received a formal written offer. The recruiter insisted that all conversations about the offer take place over the phone, even after I made a reasonable request to have communication in writing. This felt intentionally evasive and unprofessional — especially when she made comments like “offers have been rescinded before” and that they could easily restart the hiring process. None of this was said in writing, which made it feel manipulative and created unnecessary pressure. I clearly stated — both verbally and in writing — that I was not rejecting the verbal offer. I simply asked whether there was room to adjust the base salary slightly based on my credentials and experience. Rather than engage in a professional dialogue, I was made to feel as if just asking the question put my candidacy at risk. Before any written offer was ever sent, the recruiter asked for references, my notice period, and even discussed travel plans and a start date. It felt like I was being rushed to commit before having any official documentation in hand. I had originally hoped to give a 3-week notice to my current employer, but pressure was applied to align my start with when a manager would be in the office. After informing the recruiter that I couldn’t take phone calls due to a critical incident at my current job, I asked that communication continue via email. That request was ignored, and I continued receiving requests to talk on the phone. Ultimately, it seems my preference for transparency and documented communication was interpreted as disinterest — which couldn’t be further from the truth. Advice to Management: If your recruitment process operated with the same professionalism and clarity as your technical team, you'd attract and retain high-quality talent more easily. Candidates should never be punished or pressured for negotiating respectfully or requesting communication in writing. A more respectful, transparent approach would go a long way.