Glassdoor users rated their interview experience at WhatsApp as 50% positive with a difficulty rating score of 3.67 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty). Candidates interviewing for Software Engineer and Engineering Manager rated their interviews as the hardest, whereas interviews for Software Engineer and Analyst roles were rated as the easiest.
The hiring process at WhatsApp takes an average of 30 days when considering 3 user submitted interviews across all job titles. Candidates applying for Software Engineer had the quickest hiring process (on average 30 days), whereas Software Engineer roles had the slowest hiring process (on average 30 days).
Process: First I spoke with an interview coordinator. Then I spoke with the hiring manager and they gave tips on my portfolio. Then I did a portfolio presentation with a panel.
Experience: The interviewers were prioritizing visual design skills over all the other UX skills, even for a senior UX designer with over 10 years of experience. Visual design was absolutely their top priority. It was very disappointing. They really did not care about creating great user experiences. I accepted the role, thinking perhaps the culture would be different, but it was exactly the same. There is really no passion for UX here.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Describe, in great detail, your own design for a feature we will prompt you with. Do not draw it or sketch it. Only describe it verbally, out loud, while speaking to someone. (It was a pretty ridiculous question. The instruction to not sketch a design gave me the impression the manager did not know what they were doing or how to interview designers.)
It was a very efficient process and laid back. The preparation document you are sent before the interviews is very useful and helps you prepare adequately. Everyone is timely with their communication and feedback.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell us an app you like using and how would you research [insert specific aspect] of that app.
It was okay and they didn’t ask me too many questions. They saw my CV and just wanted to see if I fit the role properly or not. Overall an average experience