PubNub Interview Questions
& Process

This whole experience felt like a waste of time. The problems were obvious from the beginning; the first interviewer was late and clearly unprepared. The job description didn't match what was discussed in the first interview, and it seemed like they weren't sure what they were looking for. I went through multiple interviews, but none really got into specifics or effectively assessed my suitability for the role, either as described in the job posting or by the interviewers. Overall, the interviews were poorly managed, with many open-ended questions that weren't very relevant to the actual job. One interviewer was confrontational and arrogant, asking some very basic questions. The assignment was also poorly designed with unclear expectations. I was asked for a high-level strategic plan but then judged on tactical details, and there wasn't enough time to address both. It became clear that any criticism of current processes was unwelcome, and it was evident that there were internal disagreements about the role and its requirements. Despite not likely accepting an offer, it's frustrating to go through all of this, including dedicating many hours to the assignment, just to reach this conclusion.

The interview process at PubNub was a great experience, even leading me to turn down another offer. From the recruiter call to accepting the job, every interaction felt genuine and personal. Because the role involves working with many departments, my interview process was longer than usual but definitely worth it. What really stood out was the recruiter's honest answer about company culture, saying it's subjective and best experienced by meeting people. Then came the phone screen, which was more like a casual chat than an interview, though it did include questions on SQL and my work experience, highlighting their focus on communication and personality fit. The onsite interview was impressive; I was greeted warmly and given a printed schedule with everyone's details. Each interviewer showed care and sincerity, checking on my comfort and offering refreshments before starting the interviews. I felt respected throughout. I enjoyed getting to know everyone. I was told about next steps after each round and kept updated on any delays. The whole process took about a month. I realized that a great workplace is about good people doing good work, who can become friends. I saw a place where I could be my best self and accepted the offer. If you have issues, reach out to PubNub directly; you'll likely be surprised by their sincere response.

An external recruiter reached out in February. I had a phone screen/interview with the hiring manager that was about 45 minutes. About 5 days later, I was invited on-site to meet the team and interview. People from other technical areas like Engineering and Operations were there, not just the hiring manager's team. I met the hiring manager last; they asked how the interviews went, if I liked the company, and what the next steps were. The group was really nice to talk to and the questions weren't overly aggressive, but they did probe technical knowledge. It wasn't just a meet and greet; company fit was also assessed. The whole interview process, including lunch, took about 5 hours. They were ready to get back to me quickly since I had other offers pending. On the same day, I got an offer from a company I'd wanted to work for a long time. PubNub's feedback suggested they'd offer, but I felt it would be rude not to accept the other offer. I really liked the company, interviews, people, and its future, but ultimately had to withdraw my candidacy. I highly recommend PubNub – it's growing fast, has interesting tech, is pre-IPO, and seems to have great people. Not pursuing the offer shouldn't deter applicants; it was my personal choice. If the other company hadn't contacted me and PubNub had made a good offer, I would have taken it. The hiring manager's careful consideration of who I'd interview with shows they are thoughtful, engaging, dedicated, and open to feedback – someone I could see myself working for. Go for it!

The interview process was smooth and fast, and I got a written offer within days of the in-person interviews. It started with some written questions, then a phone screen with the recruiter, followed by a phone screen with the hiring manager the next day. After that, I had in-person interviews with four team members and a final in-person chat with the CEO. PubNub did a great job making the experience positive with clear communication. The job description was accurate, and all my questions were answered quickly. The best part was the people; I was excited to start working there, and they felt the same.