I applied online. The process took four weeks.

• Step 1: An online assessment on CoderRank.
• Step 2: A video interview with a technical manager.
• Step 3: An online programming exercise with two team members.

Number one was a simple CoderRank Q&A. Just make sure you manage to complete this within the time limit. Number two was a general discussion with the technical manager about your skills, current employer, and more. Number three was a coding exercise sent on Google Drive to complete. I was sent one in the C# programming language. Although I had never used C#, I could finish it fairly easily after spending a weekend learning C#.

The online interview process is then about enhancing what you've submitted to add a feature or two. One of the interviewers acts as a product owner, and the other acts as your peer programmer. You are given instructions about the new requirement. My first mistake was that I didn't ask enough questions of the product owner and assumed certain things. Avoid this mistake by asking as many questions as you can before jumping into coding the solution.

My second mistake was that I didn't involve the peer programmer at all. He had to interrupt and pitch in on certain things, trying to give me a hint that he is available all the time if I need him. Avoid this mistake. Understand that both these colleagues are available to you throughout the exercise. Ask as many questions as you want to, and try to involve them as much as you can. It is all about teamwork. Don't be a cowboy coder and try to implement the solution yourself.

My third mistake was that I didn't keep track of time. You are told to finish this within forty minutes, and I couldn't finish the implementation in time. I obviously failed the technical round at step three. Overall, they seem to be a friendly bunch.

The questions asked were: why are you looking for a change, and why Xero?