After applying, a recruiter called me back about a month later. We briefly talked about the position, benefits, bonus structure, interests, and then proceeded to discuss the next step which was a HackerRank test. That test was 60 minutes, not too bad. I know I didn't complete it 100% correctly, but they still proceeded with an on-site interview.
The on-site interview was a terrible experience. First, they bring you into their fortress where they show you all perks, i.e. the ways they'd like to trap you there, like Starbucks, cafeterias, fitness center, ping pong, etc. After a tour, they offer you breakfast, but there are informal questions with the team that is interviewing you at that time too, and it's just awkward. After that, there is a group exercise where you do estimation and planning. After that, a technical interview with two low level developers that asked me stupid trivia type questions that prove nothing. They just wanted to get some gotchas on someone applying for a level above them.
Then it really went off the rails, after they stumbled through setting up an exercise to work through on a PC, I got started on a few scenarios to solve. These weren't too hard at all, however, I'm on a PC, not a mac, I don't have keyboard shortcuts, my usually editor, a mouse that works, etc. This was ridiculous to me, fumbling with a setup, and then being nervous as someone watches over your shoulder as you make typos, was probably the worst way to judge a developer. A lot of time was wasted because of a typo, which was the result of me not being able to cut and paste a class name with the usual ease, due to the aforementioned set-up.
After all that, I had the chance to ask questions with the hiring manager. There were no experience questions, no behavioral questions, nothing at all to get to know me. Yet he mentioned he was most interested in finding a culture fit. Then what was that interview process all about?
