I’ve never left a Glassdoor review before, but felt compelled to after how this interview process ended. I went through four(ish) rounds:
1: Introductory call with the recruiter
2: 60-minute interview with the hiring manager
2.5: A bonus 30-minute prep call with the hiring manager before the pitch—this was a standout moment I really appreciated
4: Mock pitch with the hiring manager and VP of Sales
5: Final interview with the VP of Sales (the Chief of Sales was supposed to join, but didn’t)
At first, I was genuinely excited about the opportunity. The hiring manager was fantastic—kind, respectful, and supportive. He kicked off our first interview by encouraging me to ask him questions, making it clear this was a two-way street. That kind of approach is rare and refreshing. He seemed genuinely interested in my background, and I left that conversation energized and super excited about the company, role and culture that was described.
The extra prep call before the mock pitch was another thoughtful touch. It gave me space to clarify expectations and approach the pitch feeling prepared. Again, a great candidate experience—up to that point.
But things changed during the mock. The tone shifted immediately when the VP joined. I understand everyone has different styles, and he may be busy, but his demeanor came off cold and dismissive. It felt like all the time and effort I’d invested as a candidate meant very little. The pitch itself was fine—mock pitches are always a bit awkward—but I felt I handled it my best, especially while juggling a full-time job. The feedback was fair, and I agreed with most of it. I wasn’t perfect, but in no means do I think I bombed it.
Despite the shift in tone, I still felt excited about the company and was hopeful going into the final round. I even proactively asked the recruiter for a prep call beforehand. She was helpful and candid, telling me the VP could be “blunt.” In hindsight, I think that was a soft warning.
The final call was where things really fell apart. It didn’t feel like an interview—it felt like an interrogation. The VP opened by saying my pitch “wasn’t the worst he had seen” but “not great”. Fair enough—but then why bring me to this round? I felt like he had his mind made up about me as a candidate before I even started speaking. The next 45 minutes were filled with aggressive questions and criticism, not just about my answers, but about decisions I’ve made in my career. It felt personal and unnecessarily harsh. The CSO, who I was told would be joining, didn’t show up. I left that call feeling small and confused as to why I’d been asked to attend in the first place.
I didn’t receive an offer—and frankly, I’m grateful. If that final conversation was reflective of the leadership culture, then I can confidently say this wasn’t the right fit. I have no issue with tough interviews, but I believe respect and professionalism should still be the baseline. Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity—especially when they've shown up with preparation, enthusiasm, and integrity throughout the process.
