Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at AkunaCapital, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
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After applying, I received HackerRank online assessments to complete in a short window, and the questions felt more like practical simulation than quick LeetCode-style coding. I remember spending real time reading what the problem was asking before I even started coding, because the prompts were wordy and the details you actually needed weren’t always obvious at first glance. There were also multiple C++-leaning expectations, and the whole thing was timed tightly enough that it required focus.
Once I finished the HackerRank stage, I had a technical screen where I was given a link to code (CoderPad-style). The questions pushed me to write correct, efficient C++ rather than just “make it pass,” and then I moved into multi-round technical interviews. The later rounds leaned heavily into C++ fundamentals like STL and lower-level considerations, and I also got questions related to networking. My process also included a final conversation with more senior people and an HR/behavior component, where they asked situational and fit questions.
7 months ago
Difficult Positive Chicago, IL
My process started with an online assessment on HackerRank where the statements were oddly long and seemed to bury the key details I needed to solve the actual task. I ended up having to rely on specific patterns I’d practiced before, like sliding-window style approaches, rather than just reasoning my way through from scratch.
After that, the interview trail moved into rounds that were more technical than behavioral, but the process itself felt stressful mainly because it took too long to move forward and I couldn’t fully commit to timing when scheduling stretched. I also encountered a version of the pipeline where the early stage was extremely high-volume: two separate OA phases with many multiple-choice questions and a couple coding questions each. Even when I felt like I did well enough, I still didn’t progress, which made the whole thing feel inconsistent.
11 months ago
Difficult Neutral Chicago, IL
My early steps felt straightforward: I applied, completed an online technical assessment, and then moved to a Zoom phone interview with an employee. T…
> 1 year
Difficult Negative United States
Right after I applied on LinkedIn, I was sent an online assessment immediately. The test mixed a bunch of theory questions with a genuinely complex co…
> 1 year
Average Positive Sydney
I started with an OA round that felt like it was built around C++ coding patterns. I had about 80 minutes to complete a set of LeetCode-style problems…
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What to expect
Distilled from the reports
Online Assessment (OA)
The interview process begins with a challenging online assessment on HackerRank, which includes multiple-choice questions and coding problems that emphasize C++ and OOP concepts. Candidates often find the questions to be lengthy and time-constrained, requiring careful reading and efficient problem-solving under pressure.
HackerRankC++OOP
Technical Screen
Following the OA, candidates typically participate in a technical screen that may involve coding on a platform like CoderPad, focusing on C++ fundamentals and problem-solving skills. Interviewers often expect precise answers and may ask for detailed explanations of concepts, which can create a high-pressure environment.
CoderPadC++ fundamentalsTechnical Q&A
Multi-Round Technical Interviews
Candidates usually face multiple rounds of technical interviews that assess both coding skills and system design capabilities, with a notable emphasis on C++ and data structures. The interviews can include algorithm-heavy questions, system design prompts, and discussions about lower-level programming concepts.
System designData structuresAlgorithms
Behavioral & Fit Interviews
In addition to technical evaluations, candidates encounter behavioral interviews that assess cultural fit and situational responses. These rounds often focus on how candidates communicate their thought processes and decisions during technical challenges.
BehavioralCultural fitCommunication
Pacing & Decision-Making
Candidates report that the pacing of the interview process can feel slow, with delays in feedback and scheduling impacting their experience. Many express frustration over how decisions seem influenced more by process mechanics than by their technical performance.
PacingFeedback delaysDecision-making
Overall Difficulty & Expectations
The overall difficulty of the interview process is perceived as high, with candidates often feeling unprepared for the level of technical depth required, particularly in C++. Many candidates wish they had focused more on specific language features and practical applications of their knowledge.