CAI Software Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

Applied for a senior technical role online. Recruiter reached out. Had a 45-min phone screen with the person in the role I'd be replacing. We talked about my current projects, tech decisions, and general application design approaches. It wasn't super technical. Later that day, got an invite for an on-site that week. The on-site was a panel with my potential manager, the person I'd replace, a senior person from another department, and a mid-level dev from my team. It felt more like a natural discussion than a Q&A. My manager asked behavioral/client-focused questions. The senior folks asked detailed technical questions about past projects. The mid-level dev and I just chatted briefly. Got a provisional offer a few days later, pending drug test and background check.

They do this five day 'working interview' via zoom, 9-5, Mon-Fri. At the end, they have a 'feedback' session where they try to trash your performance and find fault. It's really messed up because you're doing good work like a full-time employee but not getting paid. They'll lie about you being late even if you're on time and leave when you're supposed to, or not share your screen when asked. They try to gang up on you during the 'working interview' to make up for the good work you did all week. If they don't like something, they don't tell you, but then use it against you later, which is their failing. They'll note down any little thing you say that could hurt your chances and bring it up when it suits them. It's a really bad, unthoughtful interview process at a company that seems poorly run. They make you do pointless things like explain how to make a peanut butter sandwich or answer trivia questions designed to trick you, just to fill the 40 hours of unpaid 'interview' time. You also go through videos on workplace inclusivity, standards, and etiquette, with tests afterwards. You have to create an elevator pitch about your background and goals. Then, you write about your work-style and how it compares to others. On Friday, you work with a group to create a Google webpage presentation for management and do mock scrum meetings, taking turns as Scrum Master and answering questions about your daily progress and any problems.

It was for a PennDot position. First, a recruiter called to ask general background questions and check my interest in the role. Then, there was a technical screening, and I also learned more about the work from team members of 2-3 different teams and the director.