The journey from applicant to employee is a multi-stage marathon. It began with an exciting email, leading to a friendly screening call with HR to cover the basics. Next was the technical deep-dive, a challenging but rewarding test of my skills. The final round felt more like a conversation, focusing on cultural fit and team dynamics. Waiting for the final decision was nerve-wracking, but it’s a reminder that you're interviewing them as much as they're interviewing you.