I applied online. I interviewed at Ableton (Berlin) in Feb 2023
Interview
1- Programming task: choose among 3 simple programming tasks, that you are supposed to implement "with the same standards you would apply when writing production code." 2- Meet online with 3 people (1 manager, 2 engineers) to discuss your background, motivation, and get a review of the programming task. 3- Visit the office and meet different teams.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
1-What do you want in your next workplace? 2-What interests you about the role at Ableton? 3-Have you used Ableton software before? 4-Some questions on the programming task ("4.1. This is the first time in my life I see an std::vector<std::unique_ptr<T>>, why didn't you use raw pointers? 4.2. I would implement that using n counters instead of 2 counters as you did... 2 counters turned out to be enough to solve the problem but why did you do it like that instead of using n counters like I would do? 4.3. What would you change in your solution to this task after knowing I would implement it using n counters?".)
I applied online. The process took 4 weeks. I interviewed at Ableton in Sept 2020
Interview
Not hard take-home assignment, followed by a 1.5 hr interview with the recruiter, and two engineers (one as a silent observer). There were some general questions from the recruiter, and we discussed my solution with the engineer. The interview was very positive and went really nice, and they quickly followed up with more detailed closed info about open positions. After more than 2 weeks of silence, they replied that I didn't make it to the last stage. My overall experience was quite positive, despite no offer and the long wait for feedback.
Interview questions [2]
Question 1
What would you do if you had all the money in the world?