Typical process- I interviewed some time in 2022-2023.
Recruiter- Hiring Manager call (more behavioral and talking tech), then Onsite
I was not given what to expect for each round, or what they're looking for. This would have helped because the rounds are vaguely named "coding" or "sys design".
Onsite was alright. For a startup they were very organized. I had 2-3 coding rounds and 1-2 systems design rounds.
The coding rounds are unique. They're not impossible. They're not leetcode questions, but still something you can do better at if you're good at leetcode. Well, one problem I got was more on the weird, hard side. They were still fun problems to solve, definitely not a pair programming exercise. You will drive the problem solving process, you can ask clarifications, but that's it.
The systems design round was the weirdest one.. I felt like for a company that makes you sign an NDA, they sure didn't respect mine and made me talk technical details re: systems design at a previous job. In hindsight, I should have said I wasn't sure if we could talk about my previous job in that capacity because I wasn't sure what details I'm supposed to omit (not bs-ing here, just telling the truth). It didn't help that the guy wasn't very nice, sounded like he was constantly yelling, cut me off while explaining, and sorta demeaning on his tone. "Really YOU did THIS? This SCALE isn't that BIG WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS".
Excuse me, I hope you know some of us peons just get strong armed into making decisions we don't want at work.. Also please let me talk through the approach and tell you why, but don't cut me off. I was literally just getting there!
Overall the company seems to be on a good mission. People are obviously brilliant and have the right tech pedigree to take the company to unrivaled heights. However, one of the interviewer left a sour taste in my mouth.