The loop had a predictable shape, even though I was not selected. It began with three medium LeetCode-style coding rounds, continued to system design, and ended with a cultural-fit conversation. The interviewers were pleasant and the atmosphere stayed positive.
What bothered me was the format more than any particular prompt. The coding rounds felt dated and close to traditional LeetCode preparation, rather than the way real engineering work happens. Even before AI tools became more prominent, I saw that framework as a shaky proxy for engineering ability.
By the end, I understood the expected signal: solid fundamentals, clean explanations while solving, and comfort with basic system design. I left feeling the process did measure something, but I was not sure what that measurement meant for everyday engineering work.
Location: Seattle, WA. Overall feedback: positive. Offer status: no offer.
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