I interviewed at Adyen with genuine enthusiasm about the company’s technology and market presence. Unfortunately, the experience was disappointing and raised concerns about communication, candidate care and team culture. From the outset, the atmosphere felt off. Everyone seemed bothered, tired and disengaged. When I asked questions, it felt like I was inconveniencing them. Team leads did not follow up on key questions I raised before the face-to-face interview, which left me feeling underprepared. It was at least appreciated that one team lead took the time to apologise, a small but welcome gesture of accountability. The recruiter was late in providing a briefing and the information lacked clarity. However, they were responsive later and made themselves available, which I appreciated. When I entered the room, the energy was flat and there was no genuine curiosity or engagement. It felt more like a box-ticking exercise than a meaningful conversation. The most snr leader I met seemed disengaged and unable to explain the company’s direction. It was disappointing that, even at the final stage, they had not reviewed my background or previous interview notes, making the discussion feel disjointed and unconsidered. During the presentation, the panel simulated a C-suite customer scenario to test how I handled pressure. It was an interesting format and I enjoyed the challenge, though it felt quite different from real-world client situations where you are the expert. Still, it was a good learning experience. Since the interview, I have seen the role reposted several times, which may reflect internal misalignment or indecision. Overall, I was disappointed, particularly because I believed so strongly in Adyen’s mission and technology. The experience revealed a disconnect between the company’s external image and what I experienced throughout the process. That said, I am grateful for the chance to practise and reflect on the kind of environment I want to be part of going forward.

I was contacted by two different recruiters regarding two positions I had applied for, and unfortunately neither experience was positive. For the first recruiter screening, the recruiter joined the Zoom call a few minutes late and seemed disengaged throughout the conversation. Most of the questions were very basic, there were no meaningful follow-up questions, and it didn't feel like my responses were being actively listened to. The interview ended about 10 minutes earlier than scheduled. The second experience was more frustrating. The recruiter did not show up for our scheduled screening call and emailed me about 20 minutes after the start time to say that her previous meeting had run over. We agreed to reschedule to next day and she confirmed the time with me. But on the day of interview, she sent a calendar invite for a different time without first checking my availability. I understand that schedules can change and unexpected conflicts happen. However, after multiple issues with communication and scheduling, I felt the process was disrespectful of candidates' time. As a result, I chose to decline the invite. Based on my experience, Adyen may want to invest more attention in recruiter communication, candidate engagement, and professionalism during the early stages of the hiring process.