Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at NatWest Group, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After a recruiter reached out, I ended up doing an initial technical discussion by video where two interviewers joined—one was more focused on DSA-style questions and the other leaned into a specific backend topic. The conversation felt a bit detached at points, but the main thread was still straightforward: get through coding fundamentals and then go deeper on concepts like data structures and related backend themes. I remember carrying the usual laptop and setup details into the call, because the process felt very “show up and handle it” rather than anything heavily coached.
A recruiter contacted me on LinkedIn and organized my first step as a short technical discussion with two people. One interviewer opened with a brief company intro, then I moved straight into the technical exchange without much back-and-forth on my background. The second interviewer asked lots of technical questions spanning Java topics, thread safety, a reactive paradigm angle, plus data structures and cloud-related questions.
The interview process typically begins with a technical discussion that includes two interviewers, focusing on data structures and backend topics, often feeling detached but straightforward in assessing coding fundamentals.
Candidates undergo coding assessments that include LeetCode-style questions and SQL tasks, with a mix of flexibility in programming languages and a focus on common patterns and problem-solving skills.
Behavioral interviews are prominent, often using the STAR method to evaluate communication, teamwork, and alignment with company values, with a strong emphasis on how candidates articulate their experiences.
The assessment center involves multiple stages, including group exercises and case studies, focusing on clear communication and structured thinking rather than just technical skills, and can be quite lengthy.
The overall interview atmosphere can vary, with some candidates reporting a cold and detached demeanor from interviewers, while others find it supportive and structured, impacting their comfort and performance.
The interview process can be lengthy, often taking several weeks from initial assessments to final offers, with candidates experiencing delays and a lack of closure in some cases, particularly during salary discussions.