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.