1st interview: Zoom, 30 minutes
2nd interview: Take Home Assignment to demonstrate knowledge in software design and development:
Very extensive: needed a detailed README.md that explained running/testing/design decisions/assumptions and decisions/reflecting on the product and how you would improve.
Required specific tech use: Spring, Hibernate, PostgreSQL, JUnit; I used all, despite learning how to setup a mock PostgreSQL db and use hibernate on the go, as it often happens to be for a software developer/engineer.
I made sure to check off all requirements and got some of the optional features done that should have theoretically awarded bonus marks.
This was sent with a due date of December 25th, 2024 at 11:59 (when I would lose access to the repo to which I was to push the product). In the email I got they said that I could request for more time due to when the due date falls but to NOTE that qualified candidates would have no issue completing it in time. So that was a heavy emphasis that requesting more time would essentially disqualify me.
I have done this type of work before, but I am not the fastest and was not in a position where I could make a mistake here and there that I could go back to correct, so I spent extra time ensuring all features implemented were complete and all documentation and comments encompassed my thoughts so I wouldn't fumble them when speaking (am better at writing my thoughts down) during the following interview, which would supposedly have the assignment as the topic.
Due to general performance anxiety and the desperation that comes from unemployment I ignored everyone and everything for the duration of my work, because I would miss more than one Christmas if I continue to be without an income, sacrifices of this scale are no big deal, life could be much more cruel than depriving your family of a single holiday with you.
My goal was to at least get feedback and provide enough material to earn a sentence or two in the worst case, where they do just turn out to be rude. I was only emailed the day after boxing day to say it was received, since my interviewers were on holiday, and then silence for three weeks. The automatic no-reply rejection came first, and then someone I had never spoken to emailed with a vague "after analyzing your interview and assignment performance", and then just ignoring when I politely requested some feedback with a grain of substance, not even expecting it just asking if it were a possibility. They couldn't even say "no, no feedback".
The behaviour just sits wrong with me, this is not anywhere near professional, it is beyond rude for who they are. I was mostly shocked that it came from a NATIONAL corporation. Perhaps there is no loss to them as I may never end up being lauded as some genius in the later stages of my career, but I may or may end up befriending one and this memory will live within me forever, and I would not hesitate to highlight this part of my experience anytime someone coveted enough for multiple offers asks for my opinion when choosing between companies.