I was initially contacted by HR from the company on LinkedIn who expressed interest in my background and experience. Our first conversation and meeting was positive, and I left with a good impression of the company and the role. I was then invited to a follow-up interview with the founder.
Unfortunately, this second meeting left me with a very different impression. From the outset, there was no formal introduction. Shortly after sitting down, I was met with a comment about my seating choice, which struck me as unnecessarily pointed. As the conversation began, the interviewer went over to his espresso machine, started making an espresso and with his back turned, asking me to introduce myself while not making eye contact.
Throughout the interview, I felt that my background and resume were met with skepticism rather than curiosity. Comments were made about my CV being "unstructured", accompanied by dismissive gestures that felt condescending. The interviewer also referenced his military background as an explanation for his direct communication style, which came across as abrupt and belittling.
Toward the end of the 35-minute meeting, I was encouraged to explore a CRM app at home which I later on realised is the same system that they are selling to their customers. I was also told that the company is looking for someone committed long term, five years or more, and therefore want to be sure that the employee is really committed before starting. When I noted that both sides need time to evaluate whether it’s the right fit, the conversation was quickly wrapped up and I was escorted out for the next meeting.
While I understand that interview styles and personalities vary, I left this meeting feeling disrespected and diminished. If my background was not aligned with the role, I would have preferred transparent communication rather than an interview experience that felt dismissive and unwelcoming.
On the positive side, this meeting helped me quickly realise that (based on the last interview) the company’s environment is not aligned with the type of workplace I am looking for. While others may have a different experience, based on this interaction, I personally cannot recommend the company as a prospective employer.