I completed a four‑stage interview process with Orgvue over several weeks, meeting four different members of the team. Throughout the early stages, I received positive feedback about my experience, structured approach, and suitability for the role. However, I was ultimately rejected based on the interpretation of my colloquial language during one of the conversations. The feedback focused on “how I speak” rather than my capability or experience, which was surprising given that I have worked with senior leaders and C‑suite stakeholders for over a decade without any concerns about communication. In many professional environments, a range of communication styles — including direct or colloquial phrasing — is normal and accepted. When I questioned the feedback and referenced CIPD principles around objective and consistent assessment, the explanation shifted to suggest that my experience was not as closely aligned as other candidates. This contradicted the positive feedback I had received throughout the process, where my background was described as a strong match. The inconsistency made the experience feel subjective and unclear. The emphasis placed on conversational style over capability also raised concerns about class‑coded expectations around communication. It gave me insight into a culture where certain ways of speaking may be viewed less favourably, even when they have no bearing on professional performance. For a company positioning itself as a leader in organisational design and people‑centric decision‑making, this felt misaligned with the values they promote. The individuals I met were personable, but the process itself left me with concerns about how candidates are assessed and the weight placed on stylistic preferences rather than overall suitability.

"Clear contradiction between value proposition and internal execution" Orgvue positions itself as a company that enables organisations to design, structure, and optimise their workforce. However, my experience with the hiring process revealed a concerning disconnect between that proposition and how the organisation operates internally. The recruitment process lacked consistency, alignment, and follow-through. Expectations were clearly set and then not honoured, which reflects not just a process gap, but a broader issue in how the organisation manages and communicates internally. For a business that advises other companies on workforce planning and organisational effectiveness, this inconsistency raises important questions. If these principles are not being demonstrated within its own hiring practices, it inevitably impacts the credibility of what is being offered externally. At this stage, the company still appears to be operating with a level of immaturity in its processes and leadership alignment. Candidate experience is often a direct reflection of internal culture and operational discipline, and in this case, it suggests there is significant work to be done. For candidates coming from established organisations, this type of experience is not only disappointing but also indicative of a wider gap between ambition and execution. It ultimately makes one question how effectively the company can support large enterprises when its own foundational processes are not yet consistent. In many ways, the outcome of not progressing further feels aligned with that reality. There is potential in the space Orgvue operates in, but the organisation would benefit from strengthening its internal standards and ensuring it leads by example — particularly in the very areas it seeks to advise others on.