The process began with an announcement of the interview date and time, along with a request to complete and submit an assignment. The assignment had a 3-day deadline, which I met.
When the interview finally took place, there was no introduction to the company, no overview of the role, and no effort to make the candidate feel welcome. They jumped straight into inappropriate questions — the first being about my age, followed by vague and personal questions about why I left my previous job.
People were randomly joining and leaving the call, and at one point, I was suddenly speaking with the CEO without any context or proper handover. Midway through, they decided to switch the interview language without any prior notice.
The whole session felt rushed and poorly organized — an attempt to cram HR, technical, and leadership discussions into one chaotic call. It was clear they had no respect for my time, preparation, or professional dignity.
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Validata Group (Athens, Athens, Attica) in Jan 2024
Interview
Beware! You will get an email to setup an initial call with HR but actually the CEO pops up (hr is also present in the call but in mute and without video)! It was actually a friendly chat but when the CEO appears well.. that's a red flag.
Especially if you have gone through the reviews about the company already. Anyway, being an experienced professional one is often able to set the tone in these conversations. As such I asked if this was an Engineering Lead position, the CEO was taken aback then said yes but could not give any specifics about the teams like how many people on it etc..it was weird. It felt like they were trying to overcompensate forntheir luck of structure (either that or they only interview juniors). The CEO kept bragging about their clients (indeed some impressive names) but also used a lot of managerial jargon which is usually an indication that they dont practise any of that. Also, straight up asked about my current salary instead of salary expectations for this one. Isnt this borderline illegal?
All in all it was very weirdl, I had a feeling of discomfort throughout and decided to stop the process with them.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Q's around my background and tools & texhnology used
I applied in-person. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Validata Group (Athens, Athens, Attica)
Interview
The interview process is terrible. It is bound with manipulation with main goal to decrease the discussed initially rate.
I was suggested to prepare some test task, that was successfully implemented and published on GitHub.
The next round of interview was appointed. But 20 minutes before I got the e-mail with proposition to decrease the rate at least two times less that we discussed initially.
Finally the interview was postponed. That was first sign that company is really not serious.
When few days later I was invited to visit the office driving through all city, CEO Vaios suggested to work initial time for free, that was denied.
All these moments demonstrate Validata Group as very unreliable employer with poor management and low social responsibility and culture.
Based on this experience, I would never recommend this company as attractive working place for career growth and development.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
All verbal questions from Vaios were general and not specific.
I was suggested to implement test task, that was successfully implemented and published on GitHub.
But in time of interview I was suggested to work first time for free, that I have denied.
