Senior Software Engineer Interview Experience - London, England
November 1, 2018
Neutral ExperienceNo Offer
Process
The first step was a technical test of a robot wars problem to be done in your own time.
I passed this one, and the next step was a 3-hour face-to-face interview.
There was 1.5 hours of technical interview, 45 minutes to go through the exercise and extend it, which was trivial, then another 45 minutes discussing what I had been working on, which wasn't particularly technical at all. There was a 1-hour cultural interview with product owners, with a focus on remote communication with American offices. The last 30 minutes was with an engineering manager. It consisted of a few cliché questions, like where do you see yourself in X years, and an explanation of compensation, which seemed generous due to shares.
I didn't receive an offer. The feedback I received was that the role didn't match my skills (the London teams are product-focused as opposed to platform) and I didn't show enthusiasm for OpenTable.
Questions
Are you comfortable working in a satellite office?
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 2 interview experiences for the OpenTable Senior Software Engineer role in London, England.
Success Rate
0%
Pass Rate
OpenTable's interview process for their Senior Software Engineer roles in London, England is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive0%
Neutral50%
Negative50%
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for OpenTable's Senior Software Engineer interview process in London, England.
OpenTable Work Experiences
3.0
Massive Exodus
Senior Software Engineer • Former Employee
San Francisco, CA
October 24, 2014
Pros: We built OpenTable into what it became. We, being a team of Engineers, Designers, Product Managers, Sales, Support Staff, Office Staff, and others. We loved the company and did our best to make it successful. That was an incredible team that succeeded in a major way. We were so proud when the company went public and watched the stock soar. It was sweet.
Cons: Something happened a couple years ago where the old guard was summarily dismissed, or encouraged to move on by treating good people badly. Stress, bickering, and managers yelling at employees in public increased, and people fled.
The new engineering regime brought over their dozen or so cronies and even set them up with their own office in Southern California, away from the mother ship in San Francisco. Rather than learn about the existing culture at OpenTable, they imposed their own set of rules, values, and skewed militaristic sense of what makes a good team.
The engineering team was constantly reminded that the company was moving fast, and to keep up or get left behind. Older workers were jettisoned for younger workers, a clear sign of ageism.
4.0
Great work-life balance, great people, committed to growth
Senior Software Engineer • Current Employee
June 29, 2022
Pros: As someone who can often treat myself badly in service of working more, I have found unexpected allies everywhere at OpenTable. Multiple co-workers (and definitely my manager) have encouraged me/us to take sick days when in doubt, including mental health days when the news hits hard. This makes me feel valued beyond what I can contribute to the bottom line, which is unfortunately mostly a new experience for me after 7 years in this industry.
I have enjoyed working with almost everyone I have come across. People are kind, eager to help, fun, energetic, and caring.
Cons: There is definitely a cost to being a relatively old company — lots of structures, silos, and approval processes that have me thinking "there has to be a better way" on a weekly basis.
At the same time, I have seen signs of awareness of the silos problem, and some willingness to address it. I am still new here, so the jury is still out, but I have hope.
5.0
Great Work-Life Balance
Senior Software Engineer • Current Employee
September 26, 2017
Pros: - The work/life balance here has been fantastic.
- Generous with enrichment opportunities.
- Genuinely concerned and active in regards to diversity.
Cons: - Sometimes scattered technical goals
- Should spend more time addressing technical debt (though really most tech companies need to do this)
- 3.0Massive ExodusSenior Software Engineer • Former EmployeeSan Francisco, CAOctober 24, 2014Pros: We built OpenTable into what it became. We, being a team of Engineers, Designers, Product Managers, Sales, Support Staff, Office Staff, and others. We loved the company and did our best to make it successful. That was an incredible team that succeeded in a major way. We were so proud when the company went public and watched the stock soar. It was sweet.Cons: Something happened a couple years ago where the old guard was summarily dismissed, or encouraged to move on by treating good people badly. Stress, bickering, and managers yelling at employees in public increased, and people fled. The new engineering regime brought over their dozen or so cronies and even set them up with their own office in Southern California, away from the mother ship in San Francisco. Rather than learn about the existing culture at OpenTable, they imposed their own set of rules, values, and skewed militaristic sense of what makes a good team. The engineering team was constantly reminded that the company was moving fast, and to keep up or get left behind. Older workers were jettisoned for younger workers, a clear sign of ageism.
- 4.0Great work-life balance, great people, committed to growthSenior Software Engineer • Current EmployeeJune 29, 2022Pros: As someone who can often treat myself badly in service of working more, I have found unexpected allies everywhere at OpenTable. Multiple co-workers (and definitely my manager) have encouraged me/us to take sick days when in doubt, including mental health days when the news hits hard. This makes me feel valued beyond what I can contribute to the bottom line, which is unfortunately mostly a new experience for me after 7 years in this industry. I have enjoyed working with almost everyone I have come across. People are kind, eager to help, fun, energetic, and caring.Cons: There is definitely a cost to being a relatively old company — lots of structures, silos, and approval processes that have me thinking "there has to be a better way" on a weekly basis. At the same time, I have seen signs of awareness of the silos problem, and some willingness to address it. I am still new here, so the jury is still out, but I have hope.
- 5.0Great Work-Life BalanceSenior Software Engineer • Current EmployeeSeptember 26, 2017Pros: - The work/life balance here has been fantastic. - Generous with enrichment opportunities. - Genuinely concerned and active in regards to diversity.Cons: - Sometimes scattered technical goals - Should spend more time addressing technical debt (though really most tech companies need to do this)
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