I applied through a staffing agency. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Rakuten
Interview
1. Online Coding Assessment
2. 2 Onsite Interviews
- First Interview: This was a traditional Japanese freshman interview, focusing on personality, motivation, and basic behavioral questions.
- Second Interview: This session was more of an introduction to the department rather than a technical interview. The interviewer explained the team structure, work culture, and role expectations. It felt more like an opportunity to ask questions and understand the department rather than a strict evaluation.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Why do you want to work at Rakuten?
How long have you been learning Japanese? How did you study Japanese?
Applied online. Initial screening with the hiring manager. Questions from resume. Technologies used. Java basic questions. Salary expectations. About the role and team. Leetcode question - no coding - just mention the approach. System design question.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Leetcode question - no coding - just mention the approach. System design question.
Disorganized, no HR reached out to discuss about the administrative details and salary and benefits, the hiring manager reached out directly, scheduled a meeting and asked about HR questions(visa, RTO etc.)
The hiring manager was late for over 5 mins minutes, no apologies, no greetings. Negative experience
The interview covered Python libraries, networking, and my software engineering experience. While questions were basic, they can be tricky for seniors. Review your definitions alongside your past projects to succeed.