I applied through a recruiter. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at StreamElements in Oct 2021
Interview
Had a good initial screening talk with some very friendly and open engineers. We talked about their stack and technology and I could ask questions.
Was called to a second interview where I was asked to do system design. If that would go well, I would be called for a third and fourth round of technical talk.
I was asked to draw and design a systems diagram of a notification system that looked like the one they were actually using in production.
Pretty hard to draw a diagram of a system in 90 minutes that the three engineers looking over my back had spent all their career designing and improving.
Multiple times I was told that "ok, this design looks good" and other affirmations, but when I did not hear back from them the first day, I knew it was over. And about a week later I was rejected.
I asked for detailed feedback to help my future, but the HR representative told me that they felt I did not answer their questions good enough and did not finish the task. I wondered why they kept telling me they thought my design looked good. I even remember one of them saying something like "yes, this diagram looks like what we do in production".
Maybe they just wanted to be nice.
Anyway, they were all very kind and friendly, but I felt the task was a total ambush. I wish all prospects good luck in designing their existing system in 90 minutes.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
I was asked to design the notification system that is currently used by StreamElements in production. So I was given some background information and a few things to disregard, and then told to draw while we talked about it.
I applied through a staffing agency. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at StreamElements (Tel Aviv) in Nov 2022
Interview
Have a very Bad Interview experience with StreamElements after 8 rounds of Interview. Started the process with an external recruiter reaching out for a Senior SWE role. Had two recruiter interview at first stage, one with external third party recruiter and another one with an in house recruiter. Asking questions about experience and interests. Then One take away home project with very strict deadlines (2day), One system design interviews. After this round The external recruiters were asking for expected salary and ensured me that the interviews went really well, and the engineering team was very impressed. Then they requested an interview with an Engineering Director, I was very impressed with him. I felt very connected and very open with the director. The director told me that there is multiple team hiring and I can talk to engineering managers about team selection. After this the external recruiter told me that, everything was very good and I should wait for an offer. But the rounds of Interview didn't finish. Then I faced a behavioural interview round with a Hiring manager. Interestingly at the end of the this interview manager directly told me that he is very convinced and going to ask me for his team. Then I was scheduled with an High level HR Administrator for another interview round, who was asking about my motivations about the move. And If I have worked in a start up mentality work. This round also went good from my side. The external recruiter continued to assure me that this is a done deal, and the HR interview was just to ensure if I meet a certain level for a Higher Comp package. Then I was scheduled for another interview with the CEO. That also went well, the CEO assured me that everything looks good and the HR will reach out to me. After 4/5 days was gone. I got an email from the initial in house recruiter that I am not selected, the cause they showed is -- They have another candidate that have more experience with fast paced start up environment. Where I have been working for big techs for the last 6 years and might not suit the environment. This is the most wired reason I have heard in all my years working in tech. Really are you guys only hiring for 1 role? And then instead of answering some questions both internal and external recruiter ghosted.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Interview questions are standard system design and behavioural interviews. Nothing very hard, someone with 3years experience will be able to answer them easily. They give a take home project which can be done in golang, to typescript.
Very professional, they follow up very quickly with next steps. Interviewers are well prepared and ask interesting questions. Interesting take home excercise and architecture interview. It was very positive, can recommend.
