Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Mobile Engineer at Speechify, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
I applied for an iOS-focused role and very quickly got pushed into recorded, no-narrative testing. The first assessment was basically solo: I had to keep my camera on and record my screen for the whole time with no other people on the call. After that, I had a follow-up call with an engineering manager that went well, but I got blindsided by the employment setup. Because the company didn’t have a UK legal entity, the arrangement would be contractor-based rather than standard employment—no benefits or pension, limited holiday, and I’d be responsible for my own tax and national insurance. That wasn’t mentioned in the original listing.
My experience started with a lot of automation and very little opportunity to connect. After an initial recruiter step didn’t really happen the way it should have, I was sent a link to a technical challenge with specific camera expectations, and I had to handle scheduling and setup on my own. I ended up doing a screen-recorded session with my camera and microphone enabled, and the whole thing felt detached—like the process was meant to run without a real conversation.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter conversation focused on background and role fit, followed by a technical challenge that often requires candidates to record their screens and cameras, creating a sense of detachment. Candidates should be prepared for a hands-off approach and potential surprises regarding privacy and monitoring requirements.
Candidates face various technical challenges, often involving coding tasks that encourage or require the use of AI tools, which can feel like a significant part of the evaluation. It's important to be comfortable with AI-assisted work and to manage time effectively under tight constraints.
Live coding sessions are a central aspect of the interview, focusing on real-time problem-solving in Swift and iOS environments, often with tight time limits and specific constraints. Candidates should be prepared for high-pressure situations and the need to demonstrate quick reasoning and debugging skills.
Feedback during the process tends to be minimal and often delivered via generic emails, leaving candidates feeling undervalued despite their efforts. Candidates should be aware that they may not receive detailed insights into their performance or areas for improvement after interviews.
The overall experience can vary significantly, with some candidates reporting a structured and respectful process while others feel it is impersonal and chaotic. It's advisable to approach the process with realistic expectations regarding transparency and engagement from the interviewers.
Candidates should be aware that the employment setup may involve contractor-based arrangements without standard benefits, which can impact the overall attractiveness of the role. Clarifying these details early in the process is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.