Phase One: Phone screening by recruiter.

Questions were asked to determine suitability for the tech reviewer. This phase took some time after notification, suggesting the recruiter was overwhelmed.

Phase Two: Detailed phone screening by a database engineer.

This was a professional assessment of knowledge and attitudes towards career skills, rather than an interrogation. The interviewer was encouraging, and the candidate was advanced to phase three shortly after.

Phase Three: A series of four one-on-one interviews.

• Three with top database engineers and one with the team development manager.
• The first hour focused on schema design and query optimization principles, with excellent assessment questions.
• The second hour delved into the inner workings of SQL Server and concepts differentiating senior from junior/mid-level developers. This interviewer used a mix of canned and introspective questions, making for an enjoyable session.
• The third hour, on query skills, was led by an interviewer who admitted to being unprepared due to an upcoming trip.
• The final hour, with the team lead, involved standard "teamwork" questions. This provided insight into a potential co-worker and supervisor. The lead asked thoughtful questions about work environment issues and was perceived as very likable.

Following the final interview, a new, more capable recruiter introduced herself, asked follow-up questions, and provided a facility tour.

Aside from the initial recruiter, who seemed to misplace emails (and who, it was later learned, was no longer with Zillow), all interactions were friendly, professional, and encouraging. The second recruiter was particularly upbeat, communicative, and friendly. Despite delays in the final decision process, she was apologetic and appreciative of understanding. She seemed to share in the excitement when delivering the offer.

Overall, the experience was memorable and enjoyable, regardless of the outcome.

Most of the questions were detailed and specific; they were very difficult to reproduce with any justice here.