Smashtech Interview Questions
& Process

I recently went through the interview process for a Software Developer role at a medium-sized tech company, and it was a pretty good experience overall. It started with submitting my application online, and then about a week later, I had an HR screening call. This HR chat was mainly about my history, the projects I've done, and my reasons for wanting to work there. It felt pretty chill and like a normal conversation. After that, I had a technical interview over Zoom. They asked me questions about data structures and algorithms, basic system design, fundamental OOP concepts, and a few coding challenges (arrays, strings, logic). They also wanted me to walk through one of my projects, talking about the difficulties and how I overcame them. The interviewer seemed more interested in how I approached problems than just getting the right answer, which was nice because it made me feel okay even when I wasn't totally sure. The last part was a managerial/HR interview, covering things like my experience working in teams, dealing with deadlines, handling disagreements, my future career plans, and again, why I want to join them. The vibe during the interviews was professional and relaxed. The interviewers were helpful and offered tips when I was stuck. It felt like a solid and fair process, and honestly, it was a good learning experience no matter what happens.

Got reached out to on Linkedin and we set up a quick call to learn about the company and the position that same week. It was SO easy to talk to the recruiter -- she's very real and down to earth, and truly wants you to find the right fit. We talked about my experience and what I was looking for in my next role. Then I was invited to the office, where I met with the Director of HR. Such a positive conversation! I left that interviewing like I had found "the place"! Next, I met with the Director of Marketing and finally, the CEOs. The whole process took 1-2 weeks! They did a great job of making sure I had all of the information to make the best decision possible.

The interview process had three steps. First, I talked with the Creative Director. They looked at my online portfolio and asked about my design style. Then, they asked me to rate my front-end coding skills and if I'd used any frameworks, and how familiar I was with javascript/html/css/sass/php/ajax. The third step was an in-person 'test' where I had to build a landing page from scratch, with unlimited time. This was to check my design and front-end skills. I used a company computer. After I finished, the creative director reviewed it. If the code and design were good, the final interview was with the two Smashtech owners. They asked about my design, coding, and mobile design skills, plus some personality questions. The owners were really nice and welcoming. They've done pretty much every role in the company themselves, so they really understood what they were looking for in a web designer.

Met with the owner and a director for the first interview. They asked about my work experience, skills, and future career goals. They explained what Smashtech does and its founding story. Then, I completed a skills assessment test. The second interview involved brief meetings with each team member.