The Nerdery Interview Questions & Reviews
Overview |
| |
Salaries |
| |
Reviews |
| |
Interviews |
| |
Photos |
| |
Jobs |
| |
|
Updated Mar 28, 2012 – Interview questions and reviews posted anonymously by interview candidates.
|
Difficulty Rating [?] Based on 12 ratings 
“Average” Interview
|
Interview Experience [?] Based on 12 ratings
|
The Nerdery has 230 connections on Glassdoor
See Who You Know
| 1–10 of 12 The Nerdery Interviews | Sort by |
Software Engineer at The Nerdery
Posted Mar 28, 2012
|
3.0
Average Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Declined Offer
|
Interviewed Mar 2012 in Chicago, IL (took 3 weeks)
I was contacted by one of The Nerdery's internal recruiters to setup an initial phone screen. The phone interview was brief and very high level, simply addressing some of the skills noted on my resume.
The next phase was a code challenge. I was given a small project to complete. I completed it within a week, spending ~6 hours on it total. The challenge was trivial for my skill set, but fun nonetheless, and I thought it showed my abilities well.
After submission of the project, the final phase was a panel interview which consisted of a code review of my project, and some standard interview questions. The interviewers were all developers; I never met with anyone from management or HR.
The following day I received an offer letter with a fair offer, but below my requirements. I responded with a counter offer, which they accepted.
Interview Questions
Reason for Declining
I ended up going with a slightly better offer from a place that I felt was a better fit for me at this point in my career.
Other Details
I got the interview through a Recruiter and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More The Nerdery Software Engineer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
IOS Developer at The Nerdery
Posted Mar 27, 2012
|
3.0
Average Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Interviewed and No Offer
|
Interviewed Feb 2012 in Bloomington, MN (took 2 weeks)
The interview process was three stages. The first stage was a simple 1:1 interview where they just want to get to know you. As a contrast to most companies, they appeared more interested in whether the company would be a good fit for me than whether I would be a good fit for them. The second phase consisted of a challenge where I was expected to complete tasks to prove that I was actually in the field I said I was. The third stage of the process was another interview, this time with three developers. They spent much of the time discussing my work.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Skills Test and a Personality Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
User Experience Designer at The Nerdery
Posted Feb 17, 2012 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
|
1.0
Very Easy Interview
|
Overall Neutral Experience
|
Interviewed and No Offer
|
Interviewed Feb 2012 in Bloomington, MN (took 1 week)
My submission was online through the company website. The company prides itself on the fun that the office is all about. I was contacted by one of the HR staff and they set up an interview with two of the managers in the solutions engineer department. The interview was very laid back and the managers seemed to like the position and the company. I really did not need to answer any questions because when I came out and told my story I believe that I was clear. The process that they take in projects seems a little less hands on then I would like with this position. The second part of the interview is a task that is sent to you to complete. In this position it is to write a requirements document for a the cancer research fund. I received the email with the project right before I had to go to Iowa for my current full time position so I did it all on Sunday night. This was probably not my best work however I think for what it was I did well. I did get the formal denial letter and that was it.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Developer at The Nerdery
Posted Feb 9, 2012
|
4.0
Difficult Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed May 2011 in Bloomington, MN (took 2 weeks)
My hiring process typically consisted of meeting someone I knew that currently worked here, and reaching out to an HR representative. The "nerd hunter" provided me a 1:1 interview, and skills challenge to be completed. My challenge was reviewed, and other developers rated my 2nd interview. Then, an offer was introduced.
Negotiation Details
Quick 'n dirty.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More The Nerdery Software Developer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Engineer at The Nerdery
Posted Jan 29, 2012 — 1 of 1 people found this helpful
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Aug 2011 in Bloomington, MN (took 4+ weeks)
Shortly before my first interview, I had talked to the Nerd Hunter at an Open House at the Nerdery, so he gave me the option of skipping my first interview and going straight to the Code Challenge. I did the challenge and sent it back in within a week, and another week after that got an invitation to a second interview. In the second interview, I was given feedback on my Code Challenge by one of the senior developers, and then one of the Associate Directors of Development asked me more about my résumé and skills. We then had a chance to talk more generally about the position and the company, and I had plenty of opportunity to ask questions. I was asked what kind of salary I was looking for. I got the job offer via email the next afternoon, and the salary I was offered was $5,000 less than I told them I'd been making at my previous job.
During my second interview I did get a tour of the place, but the Open House gave me the most insight into the company and the work culture. I asked everyone I met at the Open House if they could tell me even one bad thing about working there, and I got answers like "My commute got longer" or "I wish the free food was healthier." The employees at the Open House were also giving me advice for the interview process, including to not dress too formally for the interviews and to try to turn in the Code Challenge a few days before the official deadline (I was given a week, and turned it in after four days).
I wasn't asked many stereotypical interview questions, like "What's your biggest weakness" or "Describe a difficult situation you dealt with at work." It was all casual, upfront conversation about my skills and my reasons for wanting to work there. On the application, when asked what made me stand out amongst other applicants, I mentioned that I had a strong desire for learning new things all the time. I was told in my 2nd interview that most of the other employees there gave similar answers to that question.
The best advice I got was to be completely authentic in all stages of the hiring process: on my résumé, on my application, and in my interviews. Have a good sense of humor about yourself, and don't hide any quirky things about yourself—showing them off will probably earn you bonus points. I had an entire "Nerd Cred" section on my résumé that went over pretty well, and it included things like being a kickass healer in World of Warcraft and having several publicly released WordPress plugins.
Also, don't be intimidated if you don't have a 4-year degree. A lot of the employees there have 2-year college degrees or none at all. Equivalent work experience is considered just as valuable (I had 6 years of experience and a 2-year degree).
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
I was so excited to get the offer that I didn't even try to negotiate. This was a mistake. I've heard other employees say it was easy to negotiate a higher salary or more vacation time before accepting the offer. If you want more than one week of vacation your first year, make sure to negotiate!
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
More The Nerdery Software Engineer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Developer at The Nerdery
Posted Dec 20, 2011
|
4.0
Difficult Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Interviewed and No Offer
|
Interviewed Dec 2011 (took 2 weeks)
Note that I did not complete the interview process: I accepted an offer before hearing back on my code challenge.
Initial interview was a pretty simple resume check and tour of the facilities. The real meat is in the code challenge. At least for the Java position, you'll be asked to get a website running, top to bottom. So be prepared in terms of project-starting skills as well as blocking out almost a full work day's worth of time to code.
Interview Questions
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Skills Test.
More The Nerdery Software Developer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Recruiter at The Nerdery
Posted Nov 17, 2011
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Neutral Experience
|
Interviewed and No Offer
|
Interviewed Aug 2011 in Bloomington, MN (took 2+ months)
Had a 1 on 1 with the person in the roll presently, also sat in on a company wide bottlecap. Both went fine very little questions just all mainly about the job and the person in the roll. Not a lot of organization and seemed like a group of 20 something year old trying to make the company seem like something that it's not.
Group interviews were more organized and asked more detailed questions about the applicants past.
Interview Questions
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Engineer at The Nerdery
Posted Aug 15, 2011
|
4.0
Difficult Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Jun 2011 in Bloomington, MN (took 2 weeks)
I applied once through Dice.com, but after reading their site I applied directly at www.nerdery.com, I would recommend doing it directly. After a week of hearing nothing back, I sent a follow up email asking for any updates and sent more qualifications. After an hour they sent an email back scheduling a 1:1 the next Monday.
After a basically meet and greet interview to make sure I was an actual developer, they gave me a program to write on my own time. I got the majority of it done in a few hours but spent the next 2 nights perfecting it. I believe they give an entire week. After they reviewed the code I was scheduled for a panel meeting where they asked implementation questions and other relevant ones. I received an offer that night which I eventually negotiated and accepted.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
Vacation is only a week standard, which is a week lower than average. I was able to bump it up another week but I still took a 3 week loss from my previous job. Sick time is unlimited and not as strick as other companies which is why I think it is lower.
I also negotiated a higher salary but it is still 10k lower than what I had hoped for, however I believe this company will grow very large over the next few years, and hoping I my salary can ride that wave.
My advice is be FORMAL in your counter offer. Draft a document that matches what they sent you and give reason why you deserve more. I received a thank you for being professional, as a developer I can understand how they may not receive this type of treatment from other applicants.
Other Details
The interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview, a Group/Panel Interview and a Skills Test.
More The Nerdery Software Engineer Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Development Manager at The Nerdery
Posted Jul 17, 2011
|
3.0
Average Interview
|
Overall Positive Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Mar 2011 in Bloomington, MN (took 5 days)
Very streamlined. Very casual - you don't need to ever wear a suit or tie for an interview, in fact I would recommend against it.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
You can definitely negotiate salary and vacation.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
More The Nerdery Software Development Manager Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
Software Development Manager at The Nerdery
Posted Jul 12, 2011
|
2.0
Easy Interview
|
Overall Negative Experience
|
Received and Accepted Offer
|
Interviewed Apr 2011 in Bloomington, MN (took 2 weeks)
I applied online last year and received a call randomly, seven months later from someone. The interview process was very standard, came back for a second interview, then a few days later received an offer. The offer was abysmally low, which I negotiated higher, but with my years of software development leadership, they gave me 25k less than I should have received.
Interview Questions
Negotiation Details
They completely lowballed me, I negotiated a bit higher but absolutely not what I wanted. They talked up the company's bonus program, but nobody has gotten much of a bonus this year because the company's performance in the eyes of executives is too poor.
Other Details
I Applied Online and the interview consisted of a Phone Interview, a 1:1 Interview and a Group/Panel Interview.
More The Nerdery Software Development Manager Interviews
Helpful Interview?
Yes |
No
Inappropriate?
RSS Feed for The Nerdery
Interviews
Embed
