Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Abnormal Security, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After a recruiter call, the process moved pretty quickly. I eventually met the hiring manager, and it felt more like a structured conversation than a checklist: they walked me through what the company did and what my day-to-day might look like. They also asked about my background and why I was switching, including how I’d used AI in my day-to-day work.
My process started with a take-home assignment that ended up being the hardest part of everything. I was asked to build a file-upload or file-storage style application with deduplication and search, and I had to lean on AI to get through the work. In my case, AI tooling was allowed but I wasn’t given everything needed—at least not in the moment—so I had to rely on my own setup. I also had to record how I used AI while developing.
The initial stages typically involve a recruiter screen followed by a conversation with the hiring manager, focusing on the candidate's background and fit for the role. Candidates noted varying levels of professionalism and engagement during these discussions, which set the tone for the rest of the process.
Candidates experienced a mix of technical rounds that emphasized practical coding skills rather than traditional algorithm questions, often involving real-world scenarios and AI tools. However, there were inconsistencies in expectations, with some candidates feeling unprepared for the specific technologies or formats used during evaluations.
Later rounds often included discussions around past projects and system design, where candidates were expected to articulate their design decisions and enhancements. Some candidates found these discussions challenging due to misalignment with their actual work experiences or the expectations set during earlier stages.
Candidates reported mixed experiences regarding communication throughout the interview process, with some feeling well-informed while others faced delays and a lack of closure after interviews. The absence of constructive feedback post-interview was a common frustration.
The interview process was described as lengthy and at times chaotic, with scheduling issues and unclear expectations contributing to a stressful atmosphere. Candidates noted that the overall experience could feel more adversarial than collaborative, impacting their perception of the company culture.
Several candidates expressed disappointment when the actual interview content did not align with their expectations based on initial communications. This mismatch often led to confusion and a feeling of being evaluated on criteria that were not clearly communicated.