Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Alarm, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I ended up in a pretty multi-stage process that felt more “vibe” than deep technical evaluation. It started with a recruiter conversation where we covered my resume and work history, and I also got a brief sense of what they cared about in the role. From there, the next step was a technical interview that honestly didn’t match my background very well—it felt rigid and oddly disconnected, and the interviewer repeatedly asked about things that were already clearly on my resume.
My journey started with screening and then quickly moved into assessments that were heavier than I expected. After an initial recruiter step, I hit a longer technical flow that included multiple interviews plus timed coding logic work. In one instance, the process put a big spotlight on AI-assisted coding, with a senior manager conversation that leaned heavily into that theme, and then a longer in-person segment that combined system design with a C#-focused programming logic exam.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter screening followed by an online coding assessment, often through HackerRank, which serves as a preliminary filter for candidates' technical skills.
Candidates can expect multiple technical interviews that may include coding exercises, debugging tasks, and system design questions, with a focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical problem-solving skills.
Behavioral interviews are integrated into the process, often focusing on candidates' past experiences and cultural fit, with some candidates noting the need for structured responses like the STAR method.
The overall structure is generally consistent, with a clear progression from initial screenings to technical and behavioral interviews, though some candidates reported feeling rushed or unclear about the format.
Candidates have expressed concerns about communication throughout the process, including delays in feedback and a lack of clarity regarding the status of their applications, which can lead to frustration.
Many candidates did not receive offers, often reflecting on how the emphasis on specific technical assessments overshadowed their overall experience and qualifications, leading to a sense of disconnect.