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& Process

The whole thing usually starts with an initial screening, then some technical tests, and then interviews either in person or online. They'll check your behavior and technical stuff to see if you're a good fit. If you make it to the end, you might have more rounds or meet with important people before they offer you the job.

The hiring process involved numerous phone calls and over 40 email exchanges. Each time I had a question, they insisted on scheduling a call instead of replying via email, which became quite frustrating. After the last call, I waited about two weeks for a response, and was even told twice that an answer would be provided by a specific time, leading me to clear my schedule, but no answer came. The recruiting staff's approach was consistently asking if there was any reason I wouldn't accept a good offer. I made sure to be available throughout the process, which was difficult towards the end. Despite all the frustration, the initial offer was below my minimum acceptable salary. I was quite upset, having waited months and put other interviews on hold. They were aware of my salary range and never mentioned it might be an issue. I countered with my maximum salary, expecting them not to meet it, feeling it was a breach of trust and disrespectful of my time. Trust in the company and its leadership is crucial to me. Although my conversations with the development team were excellent and I was eager to join, the company's representation significantly impacts career decisions. They did increase the offer to my minimum, but the damage was done. While this might not bother others, it's a major red flag based on my interview experience. If you agree to interview me and I invest my time, you should be prepared to offer at least the bottom of my range, perhaps a bit more to secure the candidate. I've been on the hiring side and know this approach works. If you can't meet the range, state it upfront to avoid wasting time. The individuals I interviewed with were very pleasant, and I was excited about the prospect of joining the team, especially my potential manager. However, company support is essential, and HR is always involved. The process reflects the company's overall approach and what to expect as an employee. If they play games with the initial offer, what can be expected as an employee? Perhaps I didn't understand the negotiation game and should have countered with a figure above my maximum, aiming for a middle ground. But I'm a programmer, not a talent agent. The process is a representation of the company.

The process dragged on for over a month, with lots of delays and rescheduled interviews. It was tough, but I managed. An interview at 7 pm on a Friday was pretty weird and showed no consideration. I spoke to a recruiter, had a phone interview, and then an in-person one. The most bizarre thing was the manager showing up in a t-shirt and shorts for the interview. They kept saying I was a strong candidate and really interested, but then radio silence. I followed up via email, but no response for a week. Then I saw they reposted the job. It's really disappointing to be strung along for a month of interviews and then get no communication, especially when you were led to believe they were serious.

The whole hiring and interview process took about 3 weeks, which was super fast! It started with a phone interview, and then I was invited onsite for interviews with around 6 different people all in the same day. I never felt too stressed out, though. I genuinely enjoyed talking to everyone I met, and they gave me pretty much all the info I needed! All in all, it was a really smooth experience, and even if I don't get the job, I'd still say it was a great interview process. Oh, and the building itself is gorgeous!