I had two online interviews for the Brand Manager role, an office-based position located at the company’s Athens office. The first interview, with an HR representative, went very well. He was professional and polite, and the communication was excellent.

The second interview, with the Head of Marketing and the Head of HR, was disappointing and uncomfortable. Throughout the interview, conducted mainly by the Head of Marketing, the tone felt like an interrogation. She pressed repeatedly about “hidden reasons” for leaving previous jobs, expressed disbelief regarding my explanations, and gave the impression that she did not trust my answers. I felt uncomfortable, disrespected, and as if I were being accused rather than evaluated professionally. Her overall demeanor and probing questions were sometimes almost rude, which further increased my discomfort.

The LinkedIn job ad mentioned “Δυνατότητα ταξιδίων” (“ability to travel”) as a requirement, but there was no mention that the role required candidates to own a car and use it to travel for work across Greece. I was only informed at the end of the second interview that I couldn’t be considered because I do not own a car (although I have a driving license). They also mentioned that the company cannot arrange transportation to their headquarters in northern Greece, other work sites, or event locations where my presence would be occasionally required. When I raised the point that the job ad didn’t mention this requirement, they first denied it but later admitted it, justifying it by saying, “it never happened to us before to meet a candidate who can’t travel for work using their own car.”

I also asked twice for the exact address of their Athens office, and they answered only “Gerakas” and “close to the highway,” refusing to provide more detail.

On the bright side, the interview gave me a clear sense of the company culture and spared me from what could have been a negative work experience.

Overall, the company lacks transparency, respect, and professionalism in its recruitment process. Candidates should know that owning a car and traveling across Greece is expected, and the interview style may feel probing, distrustful, and uncomfortable.

Do you own a car? Can you drive to our company's central offices in Karitsa Pierias, to our factory in Spilia, and to other sites where your presence will be necessary?