Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Oscar Health, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
Recruiter outreach was quick, and after a brief recruiter conversation with basic Q&A, I was moved into a technical screen. The technical round was essentially a coding task in the LeetCode style, but it felt unusually hard and tightly constrained.
My recruiter call felt pretty routine, and after that I went into a leetcode interview. If things went well, the plan was a longer loop: a 2-hour leetcode session and then a system design interview.
The initial recruiter outreach is generally quick, often involving a casual conversation to assess fit, but some candidates experienced delays or lack of communication, leading to frustration. Expect a brief discussion about your background and the role before moving on to technical assessments.
The technical screen typically involves a coding challenge, often in a LeetCode style, with varying levels of difficulty. Candidates noted that some questions felt overly challenging or poorly aligned with their skills, and the experience can feel more like a timed test than a collaborative discussion.
Subsequent rounds often include system design interviews and deeper technical discussions, focusing on algorithms and real-world application of skills. Candidates reported mixed experiences, with some feeling that the design questions were not well aligned with their expertise or the role they were targeting.
Interviews may also include behavioral assessments or conversations with leadership, aimed at understanding candidates' experiences and project work. This part of the process is generally seen as more relaxed and focused on real-world application rather than just technical prowess.
A common pain point across reports is the lack of communication after interviews, with many candidates experiencing ghosting or delayed feedback. This can leave candidates feeling undervalued and frustrated, regardless of their interview performance.
Candidates noted that while the interview process can be well-structured and organized, the overall experience can feel impersonal or cold, especially if communication falters. Some candidates appreciated the clarity of the process, while others felt it lacked warmth and engagement.