A recruiter reached out to me with a message that looked AI-generated. I tried to move things forward by asking to speak directly with a real person, and I kept running into the same issue—every reply somehow looped back to the automated tone. Eventually she provided me with a “role” that also felt automated, tailored from my resume and describing a city office that I knew didn’t actually exist for Anduril.
After a few more back-and-forth messages, the process shifted again: she said she’d put my resume in their system only if I first wrote three essays covering my skills and my working philosophy. I didn’t complete the essays, and I ghosted. What stuck with me wasn’t just the structure—it was the overall feeling that the recruiting motion was more automated than human, and that left a sour impression fast.
3 weeks ago
Average Positive United States
I started with a recruiter call, then about a week later I had a hiring-manager technical interview over Zoom. The timing felt a bit stretched—after that, a final round got scheduled for roughly two weeks later, and it was described as typically on-site.
That last stage was set up as a series of four one-on-ones, mixing behavioral questions and technical problem-solving. The overall difficulty felt average to me, and the process itself was straightforward, but it was clearly designed to move me through multiple different conversations rather than one long discussion. I didn’t end up getting an offer, and the process left me with the general sense that I went through the expected motions, just not far enough to convert it.
3 weeks ago
Easy Positive Washington, DC
I applied with a referral and got a technical screen that felt like a clean LeetCode-style session. The questions were straightforward enough that it …
4 weeks ago
Easy Neutral Costa Mesa, CA
I was reached out to by a recruiter just a day after applying. In that initial conversation, I raised concerns that were less about the role itself an…
1 month ago
Average Negative Broomfield, CO
The process started with a recruiter conversation that felt genuinely kind and upbeat. After that call, I got a HackerRank assignment, did it, and the…
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What to expect
Distilled from the reports
Recruiter Interaction
Initial recruiter calls vary in tone from automated to friendly, with some candidates experiencing a disconnect between the recruiting pitch and actual role expectations. The recruiter interactions often focus on fit and logistics rather than deep technical discussions.
Recruiter callFit assessmentLogistics
Technical Screening
Candidates typically face a technical coding screen that includes LeetCode-style problems, with some variations such as simulation exercises or debugging tasks. The difficulty level is generally moderate, focusing on fundamental coding skills and problem-solving abilities.
Technical screenLeetCodeCoding problems
On-site Interview Structure
The on-site interview consists of multiple components, including technical coding rounds, system design challenges, and behavioral interviews. Candidates report a mix of straightforward and challenging questions, with an emphasis on both technical skills and cultural fit.
On-siteTechnical roundsBehavioral interviews
Interview Atmosphere
The overall atmosphere during interviews can vary, with some candidates noting a chaotic environment and interviewer fatigue, while others describe a more relaxed and organized experience. This can impact candidates' perceptions of the company's internal dynamics.
Interview atmosphereChaosProfessionalism
Feedback and Communication
Candidates often express frustration with the lack of closure after interviews, with some experiencing ghosting after initial positive interactions. Clear communication and timely feedback are noted as areas for improvement in the recruiting process.
FeedbackCommunicationGhosting
Performance Expectations
Candidates report that interviews often require them to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities in practical scenarios, rather than just theoretical knowledge. This includes discussions around project presentations and real-world applications of their skills.