My first-round interview with HR was excellent; she was engaged, professional, and took the time to understand my skills and experience, though it was clear she did not have an accounting background and was speaking at a high level about the role.
The second-round interview with the COO was a very different experience. The discussion included minimal substantive accounting or technical questions (aside from asking me to explain a basic accounting concept- Variable COGs) and repeatedly downplayed my corporate experience and familiarity with various ERP systems.
As the interview continued, the tone became dismissive and the conversation shifted away from job-related qualifications into personal assumptions and probing questions about my family background/dynamic and personal finances.
While pushback and challenge can be appropriate in an interview, focusing on personal circumstances rather than professional competency crossed boundaries and resulted in an uncomfortable and unprofessional interaction. Overall, the experience felt more adversarial than evaluative and did not provide a clear or respectful assessment of mutual fit.
