I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Braze in May 2020
Interview
A typical brief phone screening with an internal recruiter followed by a more in depth phone interview with a technical recruiter. After the positive interview with the technical recruiter I was asked to complete a 'one-pager assessment' with nothing but simple verbal instructions to describe 3-4 noteworthy projects where I 'made an impact' for my former employer. I invested a few hours of my time crafting what I believed was a well written summary of accomplishments that applied well to the position I was being considered for. Three days after submitting the 'one pager', I received a response from the technical recruiter stating that the hiring manager had reviewed my "...materials and he noted that they did not meet what he was looking for in the assessment." I was not provided with any specific details as to why my efforts did not meet the hiring manager's expectations, even after politely following up and asking the recruiters for feedback or constructive criticism. I invested hours of my time on an interview process and a none sense homework assignment with an extremely vague goal only never to be offered a position or even told why I was no longer being considered. I found this to be unprofessional, disrespectful and a complete waste of my time. If this is how Braze treats potential employees, I guess I can consider myself lucky that I did not end up working for the company.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Simple questions about the job description and how my work experience could be applied to the position. No major curve balls aside from the vague homework assignment.
After the recruiter phone screen, I went through the initial behavioral interview. After the interview, I was told that they'll move forward with the process but didn't hear back from them.
Initial Screening Interview - easy, cultural fit
Hiring Manager Interview - easy cultural fit + product area-specific questions
Product Case - 3 generic questions on the product
Final Interview and Offer - easy, light
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
We had a case on notion to work with. The case had 3 generic questions and you had to use Braze`s product as a base or go from a similar companyproduct.
I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Braze in Jul 2022
Interview
First round was a 30 minute phone call with the recruiter to talk details of company, details of position, and my background/experience.
Second round was a 1 hour video call with the hiring manager who is the head of the product team. Similar to the first call, but in much more depth. For example, talking through every small detail of a product I released from beginning to end.
Third round was a set of four different 45 minute interviews spread over two days. These were a meeting with leads in design and engineering, a management case study (what are three recommendations for this page and in what priority), and execution case study (this issue was discovered, how did it happen) and a strategy case study (what would you improve on a product that you love).
I found the process to be more challenging as it went on. The recruiter was very easy to talk to. The hiring manager asked very specific, targeted questions but was good at talking through intentions and providing more detail. The third round was difficult, specifically for the case studies. The interviewers where from different teams and it seems like they were instructed to provide as little feedback or clarity to the interviewee as possible. I think they were trying to be as even as possible with every candidate, but it came across as robotic and uncaring.
Interview questions [3]
Question 1
Management case study: I'll show you this page in our app, then you give me 3 recommendations for updates and a prioritized order. I'll play the part of an all-knowing stakeholder, and of two different types of customers.
Execution case study: This issue was discovered in one of your products. Find out how it happened, summarize what happened, and tell how you would report your findings to the VP of Product.
Strategy case study: Name your 3 favorite products. Pick one and name your 3 favorite features. Pick one and discuss how you would improve it. If you were given unlimited money to increase a key metric by 10x, what would your metric be and what would you change.