Real, anonymous reports from people who interviewed for Software Engineer at Toast, newest first and distilled into what to expect across the loop.
After a recruiter phone call, I moved into a technical screen about a week later. The recruiter call was mostly a quick resume and role fit discussion, and then they laid out what would come next.
I got reached out to by a recruiter who mentioned they already had other candidates that had passed the first round. Even with that context, I scheduled the first round three weeks later, and I honestly felt uneasy about the timing—I emailed to confirm whether things were still aligned since others were apparently further along.
The interview process typically begins with a recruiter screening that focuses on the candidate's background and role fit, often providing clarity on the next steps. However, candidates reported mixed experiences with communication, including delays and lack of follow-up after initial outreach.
Candidates usually face a coding challenge, often in a HackerRank format, focusing on data structures and algorithms (DSA). While the coding problems are generally considered manageable, some candidates noted interruptions during the coding process that affected their performance.
Behavioral interviews are a significant part of the process, often using STAR-style questions to assess candidates' past experiences and problem-solving approaches. However, some candidates felt that the behavioral portion was rushed or formulaic, impacting the depth of interaction.
Candidates may encounter system design interviews that assess their architectural thinking and technical knowledge. Feedback on these rounds varied, with some candidates feeling that the evaluation criteria were overly rigid or focused on specific answers rather than broader problem-solving skills.
The overall structure of the interview process is typically straightforward, involving multiple rounds of interviews. However, candidates expressed concerns about delays in feedback and decision-making, with some experiencing long wait times that left them feeling uncertain about their status.
Many candidates reported a generally positive atmosphere during interviews, with interviewers being friendly and engaged. However, experiences varied, with some candidates feeling that the process lacked respect for their time and effort due to communication issues and scheduling mishaps.