They contacted me via LinkedIn.

First was a logical test (predict pic). I passed it really well (16/18).

Then an interview in their office:

• 75 min tech skills
• 45 min culture fit with EM

The tech interview went weird. First, we discussed my background and I got some information about the company; it went well. But during the coding part, I got a strong feeling that the interviewer had a solution in his head and he did not want to see anything else. This was a surprise, as he has a quite high position in the company and introduced himself as an experienced developer (leading a few teams and playing an EM role).

I solved the issue, we tested it, and the tests were green. However, he then asked me to change it completely because he did not like the data structure I used and wanted me to use his. I solved the issue according to his wishes and explained that my solution had better time complexity (according to Big O). As feedback, I was told I was using the wrong data structure. I understand that some people might be sensitive to their ideas and cannot see beyond them, but in any case, it is just an interview step.

The culture fit interview went well.

Next step: a logical test (predict pic) again. I scored 18/18, solving it in 4 minutes (much easier than the first one).

Last interview:

• 90 min Architecture interview
• 30 min team fit interview

I was asked some book questions (from "Cracking the Coding Interview") during the "architecture" session. We drew a prototype of the system, and again, the interviewer had a specific picture in his head of how some minor things were done in their company/team, and he was pushing me to adopt their "setup." No problem, I am fine with that.

From the entire interview process, I noticed about the company (this is my feeling, I might be wrong): the work seems very stressed there, there are not many perks. I was in their office twice and did not see any smiles except from two people (the EM from the interview and the person who let me into the office). There is at least one employee at a high position (from the first tech interview) who is very greedy for his political power and does not want anyone who could take it from him.

In the end, I was told that I received good feedback, I solved the logical tests well, and they extended an offer. They offered me 70k, which I rejected. Unfortunately, I did not learn anything new from this interview process. I asked for full feedback but did not receive it.

How would you motivate the team?