Data Pipeline Engineer Interview Experience - Stockholm, Sweden
Process
A recruiter from Klarna contacted me around July 2015.
We scheduled a Skype meeting for a brief introduction to Klarna and the risk team, focusing on the data pipeline developer position and how they handle their systems for crunching data in the risk department.
Following that Skype interview, a pair programming interview was scheduled. Instead of doing it via Skype, I asked if it would be possible to conduct it on-site. The interview took place at their offices, where I sat with another engineer and worked on a technical programming problem using a shared laptop. I really enjoyed this part; the interviewer was quite positive and collaborative throughout the assignment.
The recruiter contacted me again after this interview with feedback from the previous step. They felt I was better suited for a software engineer role, so the process continued along that track. Another on-site interview was scheduled, this time with one of the VP managers.
This is when my view of the company changed quite drastically. We began by discussing my interests, previous experience, and side projects, which later transitioned into a more technical interview.
The VP manager asked questions about development scenarios and even included some whiteboard coding.
This interviewer displayed a contrasting personality to the first one. At this stage, they showed little interest in my thought process or skills. The interview felt harsh, with the interviewer seeming to indirectly mock my mistakes. After this stage, I felt treated quite unprofessionally when I left the building.
The recruiter reached out after this interview phase to inform me that they would not be proceeding with my application. They seemed surprised it hadn't gone well but were eager to keep in touch for future opportunities.
I was eager to work at Klarna, but my interview with the manager significantly altered my perception of the company. It truly reflected what others had pointed out in negative reviews about working there.
Definitely, after this experience, I would think twice before working there.
Questions
What are the benefits of a Microservice architecture versus a Monolithic architecture?
What is REST and what properties does it have?
What places can we keep track of state in a multilayered architecture?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 1 interview experience for the Klarna Data Pipeline Engineer role in Stockholm, Sweden.
Success Rate
Klarna's interview process for their Data Pipeline Engineer roles in Stockholm, Sweden is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for Klarna's Data Pipeline Engineer interview process in Stockholm, Sweden.
Klarna Work Experiences
- 3.0Not that great for last few yearsSenior Data Engineer • Former EmployeeStockholm, StockholmFebruary 23, 2025Pros: Flexibility in work and remote workCons: Lots of restructuring and uncertainty.
- 5.0One of the best places I have worked so farSoftware Engineer • Current EmployeeStockholm, StockholmJuly 17, 2024Pros: - The product is massive, an engineering marvel, and it gives you exposure to learn how to work at a massive scale with a lot of moving parts and several teams contributing to a single code base. - A very well-managed environment where every routine in your work life has an SOP which is well documented and planned. - Compensation is good enough. - Regular Fikas. - Average breakfast every day. - You get to work with really smart and competent people who have exceptional work ethics. - Hybrid. - A lot of cool swag giveaways every 6-8 months including sweatshirts, shirts, bedsheets, jackets, etc.Cons: - It sometimes depends on which team you're in, and some teams are better than others in every way. - A lot of perks that everyone loved are going away gradually one by one.
- 1.0No job safetySoftware Engineer • Former EmployeeFebruary 5, 2024Pros: Perks like travel and some other benefits.Cons: No job safety. They can layoff you even on the day of your joining. They had a lot of layoffs in the last 1-2 years. If you're coming from a stable place, don't join. It doesn't matter how much they are offering.
