Odessa Interview Questions
& Process

So, the interview process at Odessa was kinda hit or miss, you know, a bit of luck and preparation. It had 4 rounds. First was an online test on HackerRank, which had 10 aptitude questions, 3 coding problems that were pretty tough, and a tricky SQL question where you had to join 4 tables. The coding part was competitive, needed good problem-solving. The second round was a group discussion based on a case study. We got 5 minutes to read it, then discussed ideas and solutions in a group. It tested communication, creativity, and teamwork. Round 3 was a technical interview with two people. They asked about basic programming and SQL, not much from the resume, more about fundamentals and problem-solving. It was easier if your basics were solid. Lastly, Round 4 was with HR, a general chat to see personality, mindset, and communication. They asked about my background, interests, and how adaptable I am. Overall, it was a smooth but unpredictable process, with some easy and some hard parts. You really need to be good at coding, SQL, and communicating, and stay confident.

The process was okay. The recruiter was really nice and the communication was smooth. I passed all the interviews, but then they totally backed out. I had seen some reviews saying they ghost candidates, and I experienced it myself. We got to the point of discussing and agreeing on the package, but then I never got an offer. Also, their second round was an in-person interview, which made me take a half-day leave. This was really disappointing.

The process was pretty fine, it started with an introduction, then an aptitude test, followed by a pen and paper coding test, then a technical interview, and finally an HR interview. The interviewer was good and the process was seamless. Each stage served as a screening.

I was first contacted by a recruiter, then went through 3 more 30-60 minute interviews with executives and the PE firm. After that, I was invited to Philadelphia for a presentation with short notice (under 72 hours). The presentation was about an hour long and was a plan for a hypothetical organization. However, the questions focused heavily on Odessa, making me feel like they were just seeking free consulting based on my niche experience. To make matters worse, during lunch with senior management, I was asked several illegal questions, starting with whether I had children, then what my partner did, and finally, how I manage childcare with two kids. This was deeply offensive as a woman in 2023. After the in-person day and presentation, they asked for more work samples, which felt like another demand after already investing significant unpaid time and energy into their marketing plan and travel. Odessa only covered my hotel and train, unlike other companies that compensate for meals and taxis during interview travel. Given this discriminatory treatment towards women, I decided not to proceed.