The entire process took approximately 7 weeks due to the holidays. The interview rounds involved a hiring manager, an XFN partner, and the hiring manager’s manager. They asked behavioral and situational questions to assess your thought process when working with engineers and the product team. Additionally, they wanted to determine if you would be a good fit for their team.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Can you share a project you’re proud of and walk me through the steps you take to achieve it?
I applied through an employee referral. I interviewed at Pinterest
Interview
Internal referral. 1 phone call with hiring manager then 1 onsite. Really fast turnaround - recruiter was amazing and super supportive throughout the process. The on site was a bit intimidating, they put you in one cell for 3 hours no food... seems like people were playing good cop bad cop... Then a 2mo silence period possibly due to impending IPO and finally a satisfactory offer. Recruiter was a shrewd negotiator - had to convince her a few rounds.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Lots of stuff about the company technology and services
I applied online. The process took 6 weeks. I interviewed at Pinterest
Interview
Applied online heard back within a week. The recruiter was totally on top of his game. Responsive, kept me posted and gave me advice on what to expect - which wasn't always correct though. Went through 3 rounds of phone interviews: Recruiter, manager and peer. Then had another 4 interviewers on site who were mostly people I'd be working with: Peers or manager's peer.
For this type of role they seem to have very standardized behavioral interview questions which I think is the biggest weakness in the process ("Tell me about a time when you XXX").
Some of the interviews started with really good conversations about the actual job and then had to shift to the standardized questions. For the decision only the 2nd part seemed to matter while I think in reality the first part should've mattered more.
My advice is to read the job description carefully and have ready rehearsed behavioral answers for any of the required qualifications. Follow the "STAR" model. That will get you long ways and I messed that up. Also prepare answers for the standards of the role (leadership, strategy etc...) as well and you're good to go.