The interview process has been one of the most streamlined I have seen in the industry. They know the kind of people they are looking for who will fit their culture and work, and they select accordingly.

I had been trying for Booking.com for a long time because of their almost obsessive focus on data-backed design (not data-driven – there is a difference). I got a call from one of their recruiters after having applied on the company website. The interview was a three-step process for me.

Step 1 - Introductory Call One of their technical recruiters called me, informing me that I had been shortlisted for the first round. He understood my background, asked me a few questions about my aspirations as a mobile app designer, and inquired about my biases regarding iOS, Android, and Web. All of this was just to understand me as a person. He then gave a brief preview of design at Booking.com and discussed the next steps in the process.

Step 2 - Online Task Even though I was applying as a Mobile App Designer, I was asked to complete an HTML and CSS task, which seemed a bit odd. However, if you have the basic concepts of CSS box models clear, it's not a difficult task. Completing it all in 30 minutes means you need to have the syntax at your fingertips. So, it's best advised to go through some CSS documentation. After completing it, I waited.

I was then sent an email saying I had qualified. I was then given a brief about the next round: to analyze the Booking.com app and come up with three suggestions for improvement, along with how I could measure if they worked.

Step 3 - Phone Interview I was interviewed by two mobile app designers regarding this task. First, there was a general discussion about the two mobile platforms – their disadvantages and advantages, and the kind of user aspirations attached to each. This is where your past experience on either platform can come in handy.

Then, I was asked to elaborate on my ideas, the problems I was trying to solve with those ideas, and how I planned to measure them. They were really focused on the measurement part, throwing multiple scenarios of the problem at me. I would advise to first listen, then think, and then respond. Some questions were definitely grilling, but they gave ample time to think about possible answers. The only right answers are the solutions that can be measured and decided upon.

I was then called and informed that I had qualified and that they would like to fly me down to Amsterdam for the rest of the interview. They helped me get my Schengen visa sorted, and I was in Amsterdam within a month.

Step 4 - The Interview The interview comprised three rounds with multiple designers. All interviews were completed on the same day.

After the fourth interview, I was told by the recruiter that I had been selected for the role and that they wanted to make an offer. After going through the multiple aspects of the offer, I accepted it. Within two months, I moved to Amsterdam.

What suggestions did you make for improvement in the Booking app?

How would you implement them?

How would you know if they worked or not?

How would you design an ATM for the future?

What do you think is going to be the biggest challenge for Booking.com down the line?