I applied online and was contacted unexpectedly by a Veolia recruiter for a screening call. The call felt abrupt and dismissive from the outset, with little effort to build rapport or understand my motivations. The recruiter focused heavily on why I left a previous role without another lined up and questioned the relevance of recent training I’d completed in data analysis, decarbonisation, and AI tools—despite these being highly relevant to roles in sustainability and operational strategy. Rather than exploring my suitability or transferable experience, the tone felt patronising and aimed at disqualification. The interaction gave me serious concerns about the company’s culture and openness to diverse or non-linear career paths. I decided not to pursue the application further.