The experience was unprofessional and disrespectful.
I was originally scheduled to meet the CEO at their office, only to be informed 20 minutes before the interview (after I had already arrived) that HR had miscommunicated with the CEO’s assistant, and the interview was actually set for the following week.
The rescheduled interview unfolded as follows:
- I arrived early, but the CEO was still in another meeting and I was asked to wait nearly 10 minutes.
- The interview took place in a crowded café, where the CEO spent most of the conversation focused on his laptop or phone, making minimal eye contact.
- The conversation lasted just 10 minutes and ended with an immediate rejection. While I appreciated the candor, the reason provided could have been easily identified by reviewing my resume.
- It became evident that the CEO had not been adequately briefed by HR or the COO—both of whom had interviewed me twice prior—that I was being considered for two separate roles.
- Once I clarified this, the interview briefly resumed but was again cut short with a similar rejection rationale, which, again, was apparent from my resume.
Advice to the CEO and team:
- Align internally on candidate qualifications to avoid wasting time—for both the company and applicants.
- Reconsider removing the study case phase if it's not going to be presented or even asked during the final interview process
- Basic professionalism, such as being fully present during conversations, is essential, particularly for leadership. Respect and reputation matter in this industry; power dynamics can shift quickly.
Despite the experience, I genuinely wish the company and its team the best. Their mission to empower small businesses is both important and admirable.
