Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at Toptal as 50% positive with a difficulty rating score of 3.5 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty). Candidates interviewing for Software Engineer and Data Scientist rated their interviews as the hardest, whereas interviews for Communications Specialist and Software Engineer roles were rated as the easiest.
The hiring process at Toptal takes an average of 69 days when considering 4 user submitted interviews across all job titles. Candidates applying for Software Engineer had the quickest hiring process (on average 7 days), whereas Data Scientist roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 180 days).
Was given a take-home problem with intentional omissions. Had to build a simple web app, but requirements were incomplete. Turns out the omissions were the real test; they wanted me to push back and iron out the requirements more clearly--which I'd have done in a real world scenario, but for an interview task, seemed unnecessary.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
When reviewing my work, the interviewer clearly was running through a checklist and had little interest in discussing what I'd actually done.
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Toptal (Toronto, ON) in Feb 2021
Interview
first round would be an initial phone call by a HR person,
and then second round they would give you 60 minutes online test,
after that there is a person conduct your test results.
I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Toptal in Feb 2021
Interview
Quick fast forward: Don't waste your time! Or go for it if you want to be treated as a resource and not an asset!
I was contacted by the recruiter via LinkedIn. The role was for Toptal's internal team, not a freelancer role.
Next, I interviewed with the Head of Product Design then was offered to complete an assignment. The task was to redesign the resume page of Toptal freelancers and I submitted a presentation deck.
A few hours after submitting the deck I received a call from the recruiter and the feedback was stellar, the Head of Product reviewed the presentation, and from the recruiter's own words "out of the park", "this is so impressive", "you crushed it". Also, the Head of Product Design felt that the presented work aligns well with the Toptal brand.
The last interview was scheduled with a Senior Product Manager and the Director of Product, our schedules didn't align and I met with the PM on Friday first. The interview went well, he was impressed by my presentation and mentioned that several findings from my anecdotal research were identical to their research results from the last quarter.
The last interview was scheduled at 10:30 am on Monday, at 6:30 am when I woke up I saw that the ZOOM call was canceled 2 hours prior and no explanation was provided.
I called the recruiter and all she said is that "they have to cancel" and she received a "cryptic" response to why the interview process was suddenly interrupted. It was nice of her to offer to try and find out what happened but didn't hear back from her.
I followed up with an email, she didn't respond. Because the interview process was going so well I wanted to understand what happened so I wrote an email to the recruiter, Head of Product, PM, and Director of Product. In 30 min the recruiter emailed back saying that they went with another candidate. Such a quick change in tune! From a cryptic response to having hired someone else is a very long way and why didn't they tell me so at the moment the last interview was canceled?
Completely unprofessional, no respect towards candidates, and a total lack of transparency! If you are looking for career growth, to make an impact and be a valuable team member don't waste your time with Toptal. Especially if where you are based the product development process is well ingrained in the tech industry, you are better of finding something locally.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
- Tell me about yourself?
- What do you do in your current role?
- Can you give a quick walkthrough of one of your portfolio case studies?