The interview process was quite long overall. It consisted of the following steps:
- Chat with recruiter
- Code screen
- Paired programming session
- System Design
- IQ Test
- Culture
The interview process was great up until I got to the IQ/Culture stages. I personally don't see the effectiveness of running an IQ test as part of the hiring process. There is really no correlation between answering mind trick questions and being an effective engineer.
Regardless, I passed the IQ stage and went onto the culture interview and it was absolutely outrageous. It was a 2 hour long session where the hiring manager asked detailed questions about everything I did in my life from high school and onwards. I was asked about what clubs I was part of, what my hobbies were, what were my favorite subjects, the names and e-mail addresses of all the bosses I reported to throughout my career... What really upset me the most was that I was asked what my personal relationship was like with my previous bosses.
I ended up getting the offer and I promptly rejected it due to interrogation that I felt during the culture interview.
This company is highly invasive and did not respect my privacy as a candidate. I cannot recommend anyone to apply here.
If you can pass the interview process at Top Hat, I recommend you just apply to a top tier company like Amazon/Shopify/Instacart as it will be a lot easier to get in. You will be working with better talent as it seems Top Hat quickly promotes junior/intermediate developers into team lead positions when they are clearly under qualified). You will also get paid what you deserve (Top Hat gave me an offer way below average market rate).
TLDR; Stay Away