I recently went through the interview process for a Software Engineer at Datadog, and it was one of the best hiring experiences I’ve had. The entire process was well-structured, and everyone I interacted with was kind, helpful, and highly technical.

1. Initial Screening with a Sourcer The sourcer explained the hiring process, which is the same for all candidates. They provided insights into the company’s culture, values, and how to prepare for the next round.

2. First Coding Interview A live coding session with a LeetCode medium-level problem. The focus was on real-life problem-solving, algorithms, and data structures.

3. On-Site Interviews (if the first coding round is cleared) A technical recruiter took over from the sourcer at this stage. Three interviews were scheduled:

• Second Coding Interview: Similar to the first round. It was essential to explain the solution and its complexity clearly.
• System Design Interview: Conducted by two senior engineers. The discussion revolved around designing a system, covering high-level components, trade-offs, cost, monitoring, and scalability.
• Behavioral Interview: Led by an engineering manager. I presented past work and answered classic behavioral questions.

1. Team Matching Phase After passing the interviews, the recruiter introduced multiple engineering managers from different teams. I had the opportunity to choose the team that fit my interests and skills best.

2. Final Offer Once a team was selected, an offer was extended.

The recruiter coordinator managed and scheduled all interviews efficiently, and the sourcer provided great support until the on-site stage. The engineers were highly technical, and I had some fascinating discussions with them. The process was structured, transparent, and engaging.

Something similar to designing an Instagram for system design, but with a greater focus on the ML part (due to my past experience).

Why Datadog? Why are you leaving your current company?

Conflict resolution and other behavioral questions.