My first screen was directly with the head of design. It was casual in tone, but it also had a bit of a lecture quality to it about design at Reddit. The second step was a whiteboarding exercise, and that’s where things felt like they tightened up.
I ended up with a final solution that didn’t seem to align with the company’s economic and political views. I’d suggested that public goods should be free, and after that mismatch it felt like I wasn’t going to move forward. I left with the clear sense that the decision wasn’t only about the mechanics of the design work—it was also about whether my framing matched their perspective.
> 1 year
Average Negative United States
The recruiting experience was the first thing that stood out, and not in a good way. Getting through the pipeline required repeated follow-ups, and the communication felt low-engagement—like I had to keep nudging just to learn what was happening. Scheduling also came with surprises, including sessions that weren’t reflected on the official interview plan.
Once I was actually in the interviews, the conversations were more engaging. I spoke with a series of cross-functional partners who were probing collaboration and leadership capabilities in different directions. I was even pulled into an additional interview, but after that it turned into a waiting game. I still hadn’t heard back from the main recruiter or hiring manager about what decision had been made.
> 1 year
Average Positive United States
My process was long enough that the structure started to feel repetitive, especially around my portfolio. The first round was an hour where we went ov…
> 1 year
Average Positive San Francisco, CA
My journey started with a phone screen, then moved quickly into a more personal intro with the head of design. That part focused on story-style questi…
> 1 year
Easy Negative United States
I got contacted quickly and set up a call with a design leader that started a little late, by about ten minutes, though they apologized. The conversat…
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What to expect
Distilled from the reports
Interview Structure & Stages
The interview process typically includes an initial chat with design leadership, followed by a whiteboard exercise, and culminates in a portfolio presentation along with cross-functional interviews. Candidates noted that the structure was generally well-paced and avoided excessive repetition.
Candidates faced whiteboarding exercises that tested their design thinking under constraints, often framed as stress tests rather than collaborative sessions. The prompts were usually specific and required candidates to demonstrate their problem-solving approach in real-time.
WhiteboardingDesign thinkingStress test
Recruiting Experience & Communication
The recruiting experience varied, with some candidates reporting disorganization and low engagement from recruiters, while others appreciated clear communication and prompt responses. Follow-ups were sometimes necessary to obtain updates on the process.
Recruiting experienceCommunicationFollow-ups
Behavioral & Values Alignment
Interviews often included discussions around candidates' past experiences and design philosophies, with a focus on cultural fit and alignment with Reddit's values. Candidates were encouraged to ask questions to gauge team dynamics and expectations.
Behavioral questionsCultural fitValues alignment
Portfolio Review & Feedback
Candidates were required to present their portfolios multiple times throughout the process, which some found repetitive. However, the feedback received during these sessions was generally constructive and aimed at assessing design capabilities.
Portfolio reviewFeedbackDesign capabilities
Overall Experience & Outcome
While many candidates appreciated the thoughtful nature of the interviews, some expressed frustration with delays in communication and decision-making. Overall, the experience was seen as respectful and engaging, even if it did not always lead to an offer.
Interview experienceDecision-makingRespectful process