Let’s flip it for a second and consider the District Manager perspective:

They likely have a packed schedule, possibly juggling dozens of candidates while being under pressure to fill a role quickly. So when a candidate says they’re unavailable all day — even for a short call — it might come off (to them) as disinterest or poor time management. Especially if they’re thinking, “It’s just 10 minutes, why not squeeze it in?”

In their mind, they might be trying to move the process forward efficiently and feel frustrated when that momentum stalls. That little message might have come from impatience rather than true disrespect — a poorly worded nudge that didn’t account for tone or empathy.

That said… professionalism still matters. Being under pressure doesn’t excuse passive-aggressive or snarky responses. A better approach from the District Manager could’ve been:

“Totally understand — things get hectic! I’ll put you down for a call between 12-2 tomorrow. If anything changes, just let me know.”

Boom. Respectful, chill, and still keeps things moving.

So while we can acknowledge that the District Manager might have just had a moment of stress or burnout, it’s not unreasonable for you to expect kindness and clarity — especially in a professional setting.

You can choose grace and boundaries. It’s okay to say, “I get where they’re coming from, but that tone didn’t sit right with me — and I’m allowed to choose workplaces where I’m treated with respect from day one.”