What each interview stage is for

Usually twenty to thirty minutes, often by phone. It confirms the basics: your interest, your availability, your work authorization, and whether your experience matches the posting. Have your resume in front of you and a short answer ready for why this role.

This is where the work itself gets discussed. Expect questions about specific projects on your resume and how you approach problems. Bring two or three examples you can describe in detail, including what you did rather than what the team did.

• A live exercise, a take-home task, or a structured case discussion.
• Reasoning out loud is usually valued as much as the final answer.
• Ask clarifying questions before you start. It is part of the assessment.
• For take-home work, confirm the expected time budget and stay inside it.

Later rounds test fit with the wider team and often repeat earlier questions with different interviewers. Consistency matters more than novelty. Prepare a question for each person about their own work.

A week or two between stages is common, and longer gaps are frequently about scheduling rather than interest. Ask at the end of each conversation what the next step is and when you should expect to hear. Then log that date and let it drive your follow-up rather than checking your inbox.

• Interview practice questions
• Follow-up and thank-you templates
• Career basics and etiquette