I went through a very tight two-round process for a Senior Software Engineer role at Navan and ended up getting rejected. Round one was an online assessment with two medium-level questions, and it was locked to Java. Round two was a low-level design interview focused on a Flight Aggregation System, and that round also came with a language restriction (Java/golang).
The structure felt focused and a bit unforgiving: the assessment had only two questions, then the design discussion zeroed in on that single system problem. Overall difficulty felt like “manageable but high bar,” and the language constraints meant my momentum depended heavily on sticking to the allowed stacks. By the end, I didn’t make it to an offer, and the whole experience left me with the sense that the process was more about hitting the exact expected approach than getting partial credit for reasoning along the way.
7 months ago
Average Neutral San Francisco, CA
My process kicked off with automated AI screening. I had a timer set for 20 minutes and the system cut me off strictly at the deadline, so I got stopped mid-answer and felt pretty thrown off by how rigid it was. I also felt like the process would have been smoother with a recruiter-style first screen instead of relying on the AI format.
After that, I hit a take-home coding round on a coderpad-style platform that included two coding questions plus a Java syntax question. I finished the coding parts, but I missed the syntax question; I didn’t realize each question had its own timer, and it timed out before I could fully correct it. When I received the rejection email saying the position was filled, I wasn’t surprised so much as frustrated that the timing mechanics weren’t obvious to me.
12 months ago
Difficult Negative Germany
My interview experience felt openly unprofessional. I joined a few minutes early and realized nobody even introduced themselves; the interviewer immed…
> 1 year
Average Positive India
I actually had one of the more positive Navan processes from the start: recruiter and interview quality felt high, and the whole thing ran with decent…
> 1 year
Difficult Neutral Israel
My experience started with a recruiter call, then a 30-minute Zoom with the team lead for the growth department in Israel. She explained the role and …
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What to expect
Distilled from the reports
Interview Structure & Rounds
The interview process typically starts with a recruiter screening, followed by multiple technical rounds that include coding, system design, and culture fit discussions. Candidates should expect a structured approach with a clear sequence of rounds, although the exact number and focus can vary.
Recruiter screeningTechnical roundsCulture fit
Technical Assessments
Candidates will face a mix of coding challenges, often focused on algorithms, data structures, and system design. Expect to work with specific programming languages, primarily Java or JavaScript, and be prepared for both live coding and take-home assessments.
Coding challengesAlgorithmsSystem design
Behavioral & Cultural Fit
Interviews often include behavioral questions aimed at assessing cultural fit and collaboration style. Candidates should be ready to discuss past experiences and how they align with the company's values.
Behavioral questionsCultural fitPast experiences
Interview Tone & Professionalism
Candidate experiences vary significantly in terms of professionalism and interviewer demeanor, with some reporting a respectful and collaborative atmosphere while others encountered rudeness and unprofessional behavior. It's important to gauge the interview environment and how it reflects the company's culture.
The overall difficulty of the interviews is generally perceived as high, with a focus on precise problem-solving and technical skills. Candidates should prepare for a challenging experience and be aware that partial credit for reasoning may not be acknowledged.
DifficultyProblem-solvingExpectations
Feedback & Communication
Feedback can vary, with some candidates receiving detailed insights after each round while others report a lack of communication and clarity about their progress. Candidates should be proactive in seeking feedback and clarifying next steps.