Happened twice this month: calendar says “15-min intro,” then a hiring manager pops in with a surprise case and we’re 47 minutes deep. If it’s going to be a panel or test, say so upfront — anyone else getting this bait-and-switch lately?
I open with “I’ve got a hard stop at 15 — if there’s a case/panel we can reschedule so I can prep,” which has cut the surprise marathons way down; sometimes it’s just a rogue manager jumping in. Feels like ordering an espresso and getting a tasting menu — anyone gotten pushback when you set that boundary?
, same — a 15-min intro turning into a 47-minute pop quiz drives me nuts. I reply to the invite with a one-line agenda (“intro only, no case/panel today — ok?”) and at minute 12 I’ll say, “I’ve got 3 left; happy to schedule a proper case,” which usually resets expectations; @sdiaz2699 your hard-stop line plus this combo has been my best defense.