I applied through a recruiter. The process took 4 weeks. Because I had a lower seniority level (junior to mid-level), my process included the following stages:

• HR interview: We talked about my experiences as a dev in technical, business, and people aspects, and the recruiter spoke a little bit about the role.
• Code challenge: They shared a document with the business rules, example inputs and outputs, what they expected to see in the code, and the points that would be evaluated. The document was very well written and left no room for ambiguity. The program could be done in any language, and they suggested that you deliver it within a timeframe of 1 week. I found the deadline comfortable and coherent for the size of the challenge.
• Pair programming (part 1): Two engineers participated in this stage. There was an introductory chat to break the ice, and then they asked me to explain my code briefly. Afterward, they presented the challenge of implementing new features in the code that I had delivered. In the invite itself, they made the intention of this stage clear: collaboration and reasoning for problem-solving. At the time, you feel the urge to finish the task to prove yourself, but remember that the focus is not to reach the other side with the implemented solution, but to arrive there together by understanding the problem well, exploring open gaps, and working collaboratively.
• HR interview 2: There was a second chat with HR, which seemed to be for outlining your profile, talking more about the culture, and seeing if there was a real fit.
• Manager interview: A light conversation where you talk about your experiences, and expectations, and get more details about the work routine and ask more technical questions.

The whole process took about 1 month, and all stages were well-conducted. It is visible that the people prepared to be there interviewing you, and they are really listening to you and trying to make you comfortable.

What challenges left the biggest mark on you?