I’ve been working as a part-time Karat interviewer for almost a year. I genuinely enjoy doing these interviews and learning about other SWEs in the process. I have to follow the rules (e.g. ensuring people don’t get more time than allowed), but I try to help every candidate get the best score possible. I also went through a rigorous training process, like all Karat interviewers, in order to conduct these interviews. So it’s pretty disappointing when I see people on Blind and Reddit hating on Karat interviews. For those who had a negative experience, can you explain why? Maybe there are things I can try to improve, either individually or by bringing up the concerns to Karat. #karat
Can you refer me? I would love to be on other side of table
Haha you don’t need a referral. Just apply online :)
How many questions do they expect us to solve in 45 mins for the role?
I’ve thought about it, my company used to use it. Paid for 250 interviewers and I think we got 2 offers filled
Do you think your company would’ve given out more offers if Karat hadn’t done any screening for you guys?
I dunno, reject rate was like 95%, the 5% that got through had little to no interaction with our company at that point, felt impersonal
How much do they pay?
DM me
can I also dm to know about pay part?
Did it twice (Robinhood and Wayfair). I felt it was very robotic both times. For the design questions, the interviewers kept saying “can you think of something more” even after giving 3-4 solutions for the problem. It feels like you are looking for the exact words to match rather than the solution. For coding, I felt like I was talking to a wall, when I was stuck, interviewer asked me what I was thinking. Upon telling, he said ok, I was like wtf. If you can’t give any hints why bother asking. I don’t know how these companies evaluate candidates based on such idiotic interview process but who am I to question. No more Karat for me in future.
First of all, TC or GTFO. Second, Karat is complete trash. Pure laziness. Ama’right lasses.. lads?
here is some recap - no hints from interviewers, no flexibility in solution - no insight into company applying for - with time limit sometimes interviewer takes long to read task while it won't be added to wasted time - need to pass 2 or even 3 challenges to pass bar, which is harder than average industry standard, and for newbees becomes surprise (they think one is good) - Karat participates in judging (at least simple 2-3 questions bar), so target company HR refuses to decent candidates not knowing it was good candidate
How do they pay you? I mean, by bank transaction? Paypal? Check? Thanks
The interviewers feel like robots. Even if I’m going on the wrong path, they won’t correct it. They won’t provide hints. I get annoyed af seeing someone sitting with a straight face in an interview. Maybe this is what they’re trained/asked to do by Karat but it ruins the whole interview experience.
If I point out something you’re doing wrong or give you a hint, that reduces your score. So I try to give the candidate a chance to figure something out for themself before jumping in. It’s sort of a tricky balance
Hmm makes sense. But candidate satisfaction is a big thing. You’ll see interviewers help candidates, make them feel good and then provide a negative feedback(if the candidate required too much handholding). That way, The candidate gets a positive outlook. (Ex: Google interviews)