I recently interviewed with Secoda, and while my initial interaction with the HR team was professional and well-organized, my experience took a sharp downturn during the interview with the CEO.
The CEO was 10 minutes late to the scheduled call, appeared disinterested from the start (including yawning), and proceeded to conduct a chaotic and unstructured interview. Rather than engaging in a meaningful discussion about my experience, which was the stated purpose according to HR, the CEO instead fired off rapid, disorganized questions with no clear direction or focus.
What made the experience even more disappointing was the CEO’s dismissive and condescending attitude. At one point, he made negative remarks about the industry I currently work in, saying it was “not important” and that “you don’t really need to do it.” These comments were not only unprofessional but also completely uncalled for, especially considering the context of the interview.
I had expected a discussion centered on my qualifications and an opportunity to learn more about the company’s vision and product roadmap, as outlined by HR. Instead, I encountered behavior that fell far short of professional standards, leaving me with serious doubts about the company’s leadership and culture.
This was, without question, the most unprofessional interaction I’ve ever had with a C-level executive. While I appreciate the professionalism of the HR team, my interaction with the CEO was enough to dissuade me from pursuing any further opportunities with Secoda.
I hope this feedback helps the company reflect on its processes and provides insight for other candidates considering interviewing here.
