A small online coding challenge took place before any interviews; it was one hour timed, solving a math problem (calculate the area of two, possibly overlapping rectangles) as effectively as possible.

Results were not shared with the interviewee, except as passing to the next round.

I also had to take an English test (I chose TOEIC, though some others would have been acceptable, too), passing the required level with flying colors.

All interviews took place online, over Skype, as I was not living in Japan. The application was for a position in any unit, and I had two interviews on the first round, one of which I passed.

A short, half-hour interview with one or two technical managers of the unit followed, talking about background, skills, and aspirations.

The following three rounds were with managers higher up the ladder, with an assignment to read and write short essays on a couple of the CEO's books in between.

Where do you see yourself in five years?