O'Reilly Auto Parts Software Engineer Interview Questions
& Process

I initially applied online through a posting on Stack Overflow for a remote position. The entire process took about two weeks and was pretty standard. I was immediately sent a Hackerrank link, and I almost passed on it because I've had bad experiences with those tests before. I asked the recruiter what was expected, and they said it would cover basic iteration, data structures, and string manipulation. So, I decided to go for it. I actually did really well, scoring in the 80s, which gave me a lot of confidence for the next steps. Apparently, you're not expected to finish the whole test; the recruiter mentioned their cutoff is around 40, and the average is about 55. The next step was a panel interview covering backend, frontend, and Java 'trivia.' This part seemed to be heavily weighted. I got tripped up on some SQL and JS questions because my background is mostly in Java, but I still felt good about at least 3/4 of the questions and nailed the Java portion, except for a few threading questions. Despite doing well, it seems this was not enough to qualify me for a senior engineer role, and that's where the process ended. My advice for interview prep: I have a lot of Angular experience, but be ready for questions about the details of 'var.' Memorizing CSS pseudo-selectors might also be useful, though it seems a bit odd given the difficulty of creating good CSS questions. The Java and SQL questions are standard and can be found with a quick search for 'common X interview questions.' I suspect the main issue was salary expectations. I understand it's remote and based in MO, but I'm also remote in a low cost of living area. They made it clear they wouldn't match any 'DC salary.' While I get not overpaying new grads in non-Bay Area locations, a salary that reflects 10 years of experience shouldn't be outrageous. I had high hopes for this company, but it seems like a common issue with remote roles: they want top talent but offer bottom-tier pay. This isn't a jab at them, but it's the reality for many companies whose main product isn't tech.

First, there was a written test to check problem-solving and basic job skills. Then, I had an interview with the department head and a manager where they both asked questions. It was a really fun interview, we were laughing and having a good time. It was relaxed, and I felt good about my chances of getting the job when I left.

We started with a quick coding test, then I had a short call with the hiring manager. The whole thing felt pretty standard. Lastly, there was a technical assessment, which was mostly just trivia about frontend, backend, and database stuff. Most of the questions were okay, but it seemed like they were just reading from a script. No questions about my past experience or chances to ask the interviewers anything. It was a super cookie-cutter interview, not personalized at all. A few days later, I got an email saying I didn't make it to the next round.