I was contacted by a recruiter and went through 3 phone screens and a full-day onsite.
The phone screens were straightforward... recruiter, then hiring manager, then a peer interview.
The structure of the onsite interview was fine -- morning case study followed by an afternoon series of interviews. However, the way that Airbnb hosted me was most unprofessional.
During the case study presentation, members were clearly not paying attention (checking phones, emails, falling asleep, etc) and later on fired off several questions that were not relevant to what I had presented. It's as if they didn't listen to the presentation at all.
The 1:1 interviews became more unprofessional. The first interviewer asked several vague questions trying to get a specific answer. Upon telling him straight up that I could tell he wanted a specific response, but I'm not sure what he wants, he said he would "connect the dots for me" in a very condescending manner -- the subject matter turned out to be a fairly basic concept dressed up with vague business terms. Later when asking about tools for PMs at the company, he responded with a lecture about some questions from the earlier case study which was completely unrelated to what I had asked.
Other 1:1 interviews included people who looked like they were falling asleep during the interview, an interviewer waving at friends while I was answering questions, and more questions that made it clear that the interviewer(s) did not review my background.
All in all, this was a most disappointing experience at a company I was initially excited to join. I had hoped that the interviewers would be more engaged throughout the day and would make more effort to understand what I had to say before making assumptions and asking unrelated questions.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Walk me through how you prioritize your product backlog
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Airbnb in May 2025
Interview
The process was smooth, and the recruiter, recruiting coordinator, and hiring manager I spoke with were all very helpful. I didn't get an offer, but the process was good and informative.
Ah, the interview process! It can feel like navigating a maze, but generally, it follows a fairly common structure. Here's a breakdown of what you can typically expect:
Submitting your application: This is the first step, where you send in your resume, and cover letter, and sometimes complete an online application form.
Initial screening: Recruiters or hiring managers review applications to see if your qualifications and experience match the basic requirements of the role. They might be looking for specific keywords or years of experience.
Phone or video screening interview: If your application passes the initial screen, you might be invited for a brief call or video chat. This is usually a 15-30 minute conversation to learn more about your background, clarify information on your resume, and assess your basic communication skills and interest in the role.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
In-depth conversations: These interviews are longer and more detailed than the screening call. You'll likely speak with a hiring manager or a member of the team you'd be working with.
Behavioral software question first step interview. Interview lasted 25 minutes. Never heard back after first round. Straightforward and clean process. More technical than anything. Basic questions asked on past skills and products built.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me if you built something by yourself or with the help of the engineering team?