Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Red Ventures, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
My interviews started off in a way that felt unusually uncomfortable and time-wasting compared to what I expected. In one of the hardest experiences I had, I showed up and ended up waiting for hours without snacks, and the tone of at least some staff interactions felt rude even while other parts of the team (like a manager) seemed fine.
My process started pretty normally with a recruiter call, then it quickly turned into a sequence that mixed behavioral checkpoints with real technical work. I remember doing a take-home assignment after the screening, and then having a technical interview that went deeper into the assignment—specifically why I made certain design or implementation choices. After that, there was more behavioral discussion wrapped into the technical evaluation.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter call that focuses on cultural fit and background, lasting about 30 minutes to an hour. This initial conversation sets the tone for the subsequent technical evaluations and is often followed by a take-home coding challenge or technical assessment.
Candidates often complete a take-home coding project or technical assessment that allows them to demonstrate their skills at their own pace, followed by a discussion of their work in a later interview. The focus is on explaining design choices and problem-solving approaches rather than just arriving at the correct answer.
On-site interviews typically involve multiple sessions with various team members, including behavioral and technical discussions, often lasting several hours. The format can include whiteboarding exercises and collaborative coding sessions, with an emphasis on evaluating communication and reasoning skills.
Candidates frequently report issues with communication and scheduling, including long delays between interview stages and inconsistent feedback. Many felt that the lack of clarity and respect for their time negatively impacted their overall experience, regardless of the interview content.
The interview atmosphere is generally described as serious but fair, with a focus on assessing how candidates would fit within the company culture. Some candidates noted that the environment during on-site visits did not align with their expectations, affecting their perception of the company.
The overall difficulty of the interview process is perceived as moderate, with candidates often feeling challenged but not overwhelmed. However, many did not receive offers, leading to reflections on how the process could feel exhausting or misaligned despite being structured.