I applied online. I interviewed at Product.ai (Los Angeles, CA) in Mar 2026
Interview
Don't hold your breath.
Interviewing with them was...interesting. They start out with a "gauntlet"- a recorded interview with just yourself, one of several text questions, and a 2 minute timer to answer each question. Very unique way of conducting an interview. I rather liked that.
I was very pleased to meet with the COO of the company about 10 days after the "gauntlet" interview. I then met with another director-level employee for the second face-to-face video interview. And this is when their lack of an HR team came into sharp focus.
There is no Recruiting department. Or recruiter, apparently. I was communicating directly with the COO for next steps. After meeting with interviewer #2, I was ghosted. Two weeks or so after my second video interview with the director-level person, I checked in via email with the COO to see where I was in the process. I never got a response or follow up.
I then saw that they split the role I was applying for into two different jobs, and lowered the pay band for the one I had been seeking.
They extol their lack of bureaucracy, without mentioning the accompanying lack of professionalism or you know, basic courtesy.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
If you encountered an obstacle in one of your objectives, what do you do and how do you handle it?
I applied online. I interviewed at Product.ai in Dec 2025
Interview
Initially had to fill up a questionnaire which they call it L1 Gauntlet that checks for mutual fit.
After I cleared this, I was approached by a member for intro call, we discussed for 30 min about role, about the company and my interests and goals. It was a great session for sure and I was moved to second round which is L2- Diagnostic which had a take home problem to solve and demonstrate a walkthrough as well as a LOOM video explaining the design choices, they were really keen that we spend just 2-4 hours and not waste our valuable time more than that, which is rare and honest suggestion on their end. After I cleared this, I spoke to a team member again and basically discuss my architectural patterns, choices so on and the team member threw some edge cases and checked how my design would hold up with new edge cases.
Once this round is done, I was told I am being moved to CEO round, had a beautiful conversation with CEO. We exchanged about companies future interests, what potential skillset I posses, what product did I build end to end so on..
After this, I was informed that they aren't moving right now with full time offer but would keep me within their radar for future roles.
I am posting this because I see many negative reviews about their hiring systems, and generally how the CEO and team are but what I genuinely felt is they are just straight forward and they think deep in hiring for their team as they are low knit group who want each employees as partners which is great on their end to decide and choose.
Personally I feel, people who wrote negative reviews about this company, can't handle the feedbacks or just think they are the best people.. Ofc every company would have their loopholes and hiring strategies which vary but these people are genuinely nicest.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
L2- Diagnostic which had a take home problem to solve and demonstrate a walkthrough as well as a LOOM video explaining the design choices, they were really keen that we spend just 2-4 hours.
I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Product.ai (Santa Monica, CA) in Oct 2025
Interview
My interview process wasn't that remarkable. I had a questionnaire, and in the next interview, they asked me how many babies are born in the US each day. I was not expecting that question for my type of role; it took me by surprise, made me uncomfortable, made me feel stupid, and I got really nervous. I didn't do well, and they ghosted me. However, the interview prep and material they sent me, some how opened up my mind to AI infraestructure and how it works, it really helped me in my carreer regardless.
