Wise Project Engineer (Senior Java Developer) interview questions

As others mentioned, these are the rounds (more or less): - 1. HR chit-chat Same as always. - 2. HackerRank coding / "pair programming" Simple coding task, almost feels like coding skill is less and less important nowadays. ChatGPT effect? You should talk while thinking and coding, consider as many things as you can for your solution and ask back. - 3. Technical experience / system design I am usually bad in system designs and many times got rejected because of it, but this time I could proceed further somehow. I've just read a post about microservice design principles before the interview and I could repeat some of those statements like a parrot, which was appreciated. - 4. Product "mindset" discussion I watched a PluralSight course (by the founder) about project management as a preparation. However interesting it was, do not waste your time, because it does not help. I just got some critical questions about my current project work. Why I do this and that, and why not do the opposite instead. Entertaining and enlightening. - 5. Final interrogation, and the truth is revealed Now this is the main trick of the whole process. I believe this is a setup with hidden agenda. You feel at this time, that you are "safe", you've passed 4 stages, great. You can relax, nothing to worry or loose. Yes, there is. In fact, this is the key filter of your correct "mindset", so make sure you spare the best of your mental health for this final stage. The point is that they will bombard you with tons of silly questions, like why are you not programming in machine code, and why in Java? Why are you a programmer and why not a gardener? Of course you can say sth to these, but I won't be enough, no matter what you say. They act always as if they wouldn't understand your point and argue about the opposite. And then guess what, you will be tired at some point. I guess they are looking at how you handle psychological stress and being surrounded with dummies and arrogant people. (Cause that's what products are all about, aren't they?) Feedback was that I do not have the right product mindset, so I got rejected. Tbh, I am not surprised, and I probably won't shed a tear for it either.