I interviewed for Calm’s backend software engineer position and it was truly one of the most hands on and fair interviews processes that I have had. The initial step is a recruiter screen where the process and timeline is laid out. From there, I had a technical interview. I think a lot of the time in engineering interviews there are seemingly irrelevant algorithm questions, and this was not at all like that. Both this interview and the following technical interviews felt like I was able to demonstrate what I actually knew in a real world way vs needing to study for questions.
If the technical screen goes well, you are invited to an ‘on site’ (virtual since Calm is a remote first workplace) which consists of another technical (coding) interview, an architecture interview where you build a solution from an architecture and conceptual perspective, then a meeting with your prospective manager. Several members of the recruiting team assist throughout the process in giving you information about the interview, ensuring you are set up, and even virtually walking you into the onsite!
From here and throughout the process the turnaround time was quick (I think it was about 3 weeks from recruiter screen to offer). Again, I never felt in the dark about next steps or waiting to hear back, and felt like the team valued my skills instead of my ability to crack coding challenges.