LeanData Software Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

I applied online and a recruiter reached out to set up a 30-minute initial call. The recruiter was really nice and we talked about my background, career goals, and aspirations. They emphasized the company's strong culture and friendly environment, which sounded great to me. The next step was a 1-hour phone screen via Zoom. I was initially told it would be in Java, but then assured it was okay to use another language since I didn't have Java experience. This interview, however, was quite unpleasant. The interviewer seemed uninterested when I introduced myself, cutting me short and asking to move on to the question. The problem involved Java OOP classes and writing a function. The prompt was shared via a Google Doc due to Zoom formatting issues. I was asked to use my own code editor and share my screen. I confirmed I could use Python, but the interviewer's reaction suggested it was not preferred. I asked clarifying questions about the prompt, but the interviewer responded impatiently. After I provided a working solution for the first part, I was asked about refactoring. Then, I was asked if I wanted to proceed to the next question in a way that made me feel like I was being pushed to finish quickly. Given the negative experience and the interviewer's demeanor, I decided I wouldn't want to work with them, despite the initial positive impression of the company culture.

Applied for a software engineering role in Summer 2021. Made it to the final round, but halfway through an interview, I was told the role I applied for was filled. They offered to shift my application to a different role, which I accepted, and they said the process would remain the same. However, during what was supposed to be a 'personality/team placement' interview, the interviewer started giving coding questions. It turned out the interview process for this new role was just three more hour-long coding challenges. I don't mind being unprepared, but the communication was really bad. Different interviewers asked the same questions, and nobody told me beforehand that the role and process were changing. I was surprised when the personality interview became a third coding challenge. Maybe I should have been ready for anything, but it felt unprofessional and disorganized.

The interview process involved two technical phone interviews, followed by an onsite interview with four technical interviewers. The turnaround time was quick, with feedback provided within one to two days between rounds. The interactions were pleasant, and the conversations were good. I eventually declined the offer because I had accepted a position with another company.