I applied online. The process took 2 months. I interviewed at Samsara (San Francisco, CA) in Dec 2019
Interview
The interviewer lacked basic CS knowledge. Specifically, I had a function that just removed a singular item from a python set (hashset) and said it ran in constant time. On the other hand, the interviewer was aggressively condescending about how set removal is linear, falsely believing it requires iteration through all the items. Amortized constant time operations for hashtables/sets is one of the most basic and core concepts presented in any intro CS sequence -- a quick google search easily reveals thousands of articles explaining it. The fact that he criticized me for his own lack of fundamentals knowledge is absurd.
Other aspects of the interview were similar to those who also had negative experiences. Multiple signs indicated the interviewer was very disengaged. For example, at one point we moved onto another question and in the middle of my solution explanation, he jumped back to a piece of code I had written 5 minutes earlier. Furthermore, at multiple points I could hear the shuffling of papers/I don't know what over the phone and he sounded very bored.
On a positive note, recruiters were quick to schedule rounds.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
OOD question about a safe deposit box and with typical insertion, removal, keeping track of max, etc. type features.
CoderPad OA on some short algorithmic leetcode questions then Python and Go trivia.
Technical Interview on markdown to HTML parser. Interviewer was very nice and encouraging.
Hiring Manager interview coming up.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Implement a function that transforms markdown to HTML
1. OA 1hr easy to medium time limit is the main challenge
2. HR screening based on resume , be confident and clear
3. The interview was average , straight to the point, 1Hr interview with 10 mins tell me about yourself, then we will shift to coder pad for the technical question. Time limit is the issue
I applied online. I interviewed at Samsara in Feb 2025
Interview
had HR call for 30 minutes, asked about past projects outside of school or internship. Specifically asked how I came up the project and how did I follow it through.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
tell me about a past project you did outside of school and internship