Got an email from a recruiter setting up a phone screen. It went really well, my experience was a clear match for the role and he moved me forward through to a phone interview with a Hiring Manager for the role. I spoke to the recruiter about topics to expect and even joked about the infamous Google brain teasers (i.e. how many golf balls can fit in a Boeing 747). The recruiter quickly responded saying that they do not ask those types of questions and not to worry about those, just more behavioral/situational/technical experience. About a week later, the call with the Hiring Manager comes. Not only was he 20 min. late to call me, he didn’t apologize or show any type of care or reason as to why he was late and starts off right away with the brain teasers. I know the recruiter might not always know & you should always be prepared, but I do have a couple friends there and they told me that the HM was kind of off for asking those and being late to the call. To cap it off, after peppering me with the teasers and only those (nothing about my background) he asked to email a work sample, probably knowing full well I would not be moving forward, and didn’t even follow up with a “thanks for sharing this work” or anything. I’m not going to let this deter from a career goal or working there but definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.

First screening round. TA worked hard to get time to talk, quite agile in scheduling a slot as they really busy. Overall smooth and pleasant, standardized questions checking background, motivation, salary expectation and sharing the need of the role as well as the requirements.