I interviewed for a CMO-level role at Collecting Cars and the experience was enough for me to walk away before it went any further. Beyond the obvious concerns about performance and lack of real growth, the biggest issue was the hiring manager.
The process felt disorganised and, at times, borderline disrespectful. There was a lack of preparation, unclear direction, and a tendency to ask surface-level questions without any real substance. It didn’t feel like they knew what they actually needed from the role, which is a major red flag at this level.
The hiring manager came across as inconsistent—talking up big ambitions one minute, then unable to explain how any of it would realistically be achieved. There was no clear strategy, no ownership of existing problems, and very little accountability. Instead, it felt like they were hoping to bring someone in to magically fix things without the right support or structure in place.
Overall, it gave the impression of a business that’s underperforming, lacks leadership clarity, and isn’t aligned internally. I chose to step away because it didn’t feel like a serious or well-run organisation. I’d strongly advise others to think twice before investing time in the process.
