Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Foursquare, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I started with a recruiter conversation and then, about a week later, jumped into a live coding technical screen that ran for roughly an hour. It felt pretty standard: a hands-on coding task with space to think, and a focus on role-relevant skills rather than anything contrived. I remember it being fairly smooth overall, and afterward the process moved forward with additional conversations rather than getting stuck on logistics.
My process started with a recruiter call, and then I went into technical screens that were pretty LeetCode-style. The scheduling and flow felt straightforward, and I remember someone being very nice and making it easy to stay on track. In my timeline, I ended up with multiple technical phone rounds before the loop even got to later stages.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter call, which is described as friendly and supportive, followed by a technical screen that may include coding tasks or take-home assignments. Candidates appreciated the clarity and professionalism during this initial phase.
Candidates can expect multiple technical coding rounds, often focused on data structures and algorithms, with some interviews resembling LeetCode-style problems. The coding tasks are generally hands-on, allowing candidates to demonstrate their thought processes.
Some candidates experienced system design discussions during the onsite interviews, although the expectations varied significantly across interviewers, with some preferring high-level discussions and others seeking detailed implementations. This inconsistency can lead to confusion.
The onsite interviews are structured into multiple rounds, typically lasting around an hour each, and may include a mix of coding, design, and behavioral questions. Some candidates noted that the pacing felt rushed or lacked breaks, impacting their performance.
Behavioral interviews are included in the process, focusing on cultural fit and past experiences, which are generally conducted in a non-confrontational manner. Candidates appreciated the opportunity to engage in discussions about the company culture.
Candidates expressed concerns about communication throughout the process, particularly regarding delays and lack of feedback after submissions or interviews. Some reported feeling ghosted or receiving vague responses, which detracted from the overall experience.