The interview process consisted of three interviews: two via video call and one on-site. The entire process took about a month, and its pace depends on your availability. The turnaround time between an interview and receiving feedback with decisions and next steps was about two days. This immediately led into scheduling the next step, meaning the process could be slower or faster depending on your availability.

All interviewers were from the department I was applying for. The first video call focused on culture fit, and the second on craft knowledge. The on-site day included multiple interviews covering a wide variety of topics. They provided information on the topics and interviewers well before I traveled, and they compensated for all trip expenses.

All interviews except one were set up as a 2v1. The exception was what they called an 'origin story' meeting, where all interviewers sat with me to go over introductory topics such as names, my history, and broad questions.

Before I dive into my specific interview experiences, I'd like to say that the process as a whole was painless and actually enjoyable. From the initial contact from the recruiter through my closing emails after the on-site visit, communication was mostly timely. Any issues that arose were resolved with transparency and without stress.

To keep things concise, I'll group my detailed thoughts by topic rather than recount my experience chronologically.

First, interactions with the recruiters were professional yet casual. They did a good job mirroring my tone, sending a professional first email and then adjusting based on my replies. I appreciated this because I personally feel distant when a formal salutation and closing are sustained through over a dozen emails. The mutual use of more emotional phrasing and the occasional emoji was well received.

Interactions with the interviewers over video differed only slightly compared to in-person interviews. In both formats, the interviewers tried to maintain a more casual and conversational air rather than a strict Q&A. This aligned with my preference, which allowed both the interviewers and me a glimpse into who we are as individuals beyond our skill sets, and kept dead air and awkwardness out of the interviews. The interview where this was least present was the video call on culture fit. This was because one of the two interviewers was absent, forcing the remaining interviewer to fill too many roles. By asking questions, responding, and taking notes, his attention was split, making interaction more difficult for me.

In addition to the casual demeanor of the interviewers, everyone was also very honest in how they talked and acted. I didn't feel like there were any secrets I should have been made aware of. It was clear that we were both seeing if we were a good fit for each other, rather than presenting an artificially appealing version of ourselves. I was free to ask questions, such as why the job position was available in the first place. They gave me a clear and concise history that led to the position opening, which was a good sign that nothing within the team was being hidden from me.

Ultimately, they showcased the kind of team members they were and the atmosphere they maintain at work. Because I fit into that atmosphere, my responses felt easy regardless of whether I knew the right answer, as I felt I had no reason not to be honest with them.

I didn't end up getting the position, but they did offer me a call for feedback. Ultimately, not getting the position was purely due to experience. They provided concrete next steps if I still wanted to improve myself and pursue this position in the future, and left a contact line for me to reach out to down the line. This method probably softened the blow of not landing the position as much as anything could, and so I can safely say this was a positive interview experience in the end.

Basic questions regarding your biggest successes and failures.

Problem-solving questions: How many ways can you tell time in this room?

If you were interviewing yourself, what's one reason why you wouldn't hire yourself?

Most questions stemmed from discussion and the sharing of your experience stories, tailored around the concepts of success, failure, and growth.

Why didn't you eat the food we placed in the interview room for you?