I applied online and was contacted by a recruiter in about a month. I had an initial phone interview with the recruiter. Unlike other candidates mentioned, I did not have an online test and was invited to a technical phone screen, which I passed. Then there were two more phone screens that went successfully, and finally, I was invited for an on-site interview at the company's HQ in Mountain View, CA.

The company paid for my flights, and everyone I communicated with was very nice and friendly. I really enjoyed the interview process.

The first thing I was asked to do in the office was to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Then I was met by the recruiter, who showed me the office. The office was very nice, and I liked it a lot. All the interviews were in the same room with a large whiteboard on the wall. I had five technical interviews, as well as a lunch "interview," an interview with the manager of the team I was interviewed for, and a closing interview with the recruiter.

The questions were not particularly difficult, and I think I had solutions for most of them, though perhaps not the most effective ones. Everyone seemed very smart, proud, and happy to work for the company. At the same time, they were all kind and friendly. They tried to help me with some of the most difficult questions and finally explained the solutions if I did not grasp them myself.

The manager of the team walked me through the office, showing me working spaces, the kitchen, the play room, and the bicycle parking room. He told me about the company's rules and policies. For me, it was like being on another planet: no dress code, no timesheeting, no time clocking, no vacation policy, free food and drinks, and many other perks, including the possibility to choose my hardware and operating system. People are highly trusted there. So, almost everything is allowed, as long as the work gets done.

During the closing interview with the recruiter, I was told that I could send them code with better solutions to the problems asked during the interviews as a follow-up. I sent the code for two problems.

Although I did not receive an offer, I feel this is exactly the company I would really want to work for.

Cannot share the question due to a non-disclosure agreement.