Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Motive, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
My interview dragged on for over a month and ended with a pretty cold rejection email with no explanation. I ended up going through about seven rounds, and the pace felt relentless—each step seemed to eliminate me at the end, yet none of it ever came with real feedback.
I started with a recruiter process that sounded promising, but it became the kind of slow, frustrating grind that eats up your time. I spent around two months going through a large number of rounds—roughly seven or eight—with many steps that didn’t feel tightly aligned to what I applied for. I cleared everything and even got to the point where HR discussed compensation details and the starting date.
The interview process typically spans several weeks to months, often involving around six to eight rounds that include a mix of technical and behavioral interviews. Candidates should be prepared for a lengthy timeline with multiple stages, including coding assessments and system design discussions.
Candidates can expect multiple technical rounds, including LeetCode-style coding challenges, system design interviews, and real-world coding tasks. The difficulty level is generally high, and interviewers may focus on both problem-solving speed and depth of understanding.
Behavioral interviews are common, often focusing on past experiences, problem-solving approaches, and cultural fit within the team. Candidates should be ready to discuss their background in detail and how it aligns with the company's values.
Many candidates reported a lack of communication and feedback throughout the process, with some experiencing long periods of silence after interviews. It's advisable to follow up for updates, but candidates should be prepared for potential unresponsiveness.
Interviewers may have specific expectations regarding technical skills and background, which can lead to mismatches if candidates don't align closely with these criteria. Candidates should clarify role requirements early in the process to avoid surprises later.
Candidates generally found the experience demanding and sometimes frustrating, particularly due to the lack of closure or constructive feedback after rejections. It's important to approach the process with resilience and manage expectations regarding outcomes.