The interview process consisted of six rounds. First with the technical recruiter, second with the hiring manager, third with an engineering manager, fourth with a senior software engineer, fifth with a product manager, and sixth with the senior director of development. After that, there are thorough background and reference checks before receiving an offer. Overall, it was a very in-depth and well rounded interview process. The part I enjoyed the most was having a chance to speak with team members in different positions which gave me a chance to hear different perspectives about the company and role. The recruitment team was stellar and very professional making sure that I was always taken care of as a candidate. They would quickly follow up after each interview to ensure I always knew what the next steps were. The only area of improvement would be to shorten the overall length of the interview process - since all team members are remote with their own schedules, the entire process took 6 to 8 weeks to complete.

My GitLab interview process began with a straightforward screening call with a Sr GitLab Recruiter. We discussed my salary expectations and GitLab's compensation package, including benefits and RSUs. We also reviewed my experience and the responsibilities of the Engineering Manager, Engineering Productivity role. The Sr GitLab Recruiter clearly outlined the four-step interview process, providing details about each stage and sharing the interviewers' LinkedIn profiles. This transparency was appreciated. I promptly provided my availability for the next three weeks via a Calendly link. However, communication stalled after the initial call. While the Sr GitLab Recruiter had mentioned observing Indigenous Peoples' Day, I didn't anticipate this would lead to a delay in scheduling. After several weeks without updates, I followed up with the corporate recruiting email address to confirm my availability. Unfortunately, I did not receive a response and ultimately was not moved forward in the process. This lack of communication was disappointing, especially given the initial clarity and my promptness in providing scheduling options. While my experience with GitLab wasn't positive, I hope others have a smoother process. I've since secured an interview with GitHub and remain optimistic about finding the right opportunity.