I applied online through a referral, and HR promptly scheduled an initial call. The process moved quickly, and HR arranged an interview with the Hiring Manager shortly after.
During the interview, I was asked very basic technical questions, such as how to handle NullPointerExceptions and fix infinite loops. These questions seemed more suited for junior candidates rather than someone with extensive experience in the field. I had anticipated a deeper discussion on complex topics like architecture design, system scalability, or advanced problem-solving—areas more aligned with the responsibilities of the role.
Unfortunately, the Hiring Manager didn’t appear very confident, which affected the overall experience. A more assured and detailed presentation of the role and expectations could have led to a more engaging and productive conversation.
While the process itself was straightforward, I believe the interview could be better tailored to assess senior-level candidates effectively. It may also be beneficial for the Hiring Manager to receive additional training on conducting interviews for senior positions like Staff Engineer.