I had an interview this morning for a role in Department B, which is similar to my current position in Department A. I've been in my current job for 3.5 years, helping scientists navigate the regulatory landscape for clinical trials, and I recently returned from maternity leave. My department relies heavily on federal funding, and there's been some uncertainty about its stability. My department head, M, encouraged me to apply for this new position, which opened up as the new fiscal year started in July. During the interview, the hiring manager recognized me as M's referral, and we spent a good 15 minutes discussing our shared passion for the research in Department B. The conversation felt very friendly and natural, and I felt a good connection. I did mention my concerns about funding stability in my current role, explaining that I wanted to focus on excelling in a position that would be secure for the long term. She acknowledged my honesty and shared that she understood my concerns, even mentioning projects in another department that faced funding cuts. However, I left the interview feeling a bit uneasy because she didn't ask me many questions at all. It felt more like a conversation than a formal interview. I'm now worried that this might be a bad sign and that I might have been too honest about my reasons for wanting to move. I haven't interviewed in over three years, and I'm ruminating over whether I should have approached my answer differently. If I don't get this job, I want to be better prepared for the next opportunity.