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The interview loop itself

How tech interview loops work: what each round scores, hire vs level signal, the recruiter screen, salary negotiation and running several processes at once.

7 lessons

Loop map, rubrics and level

  1. 1Loop format recon: one sheet per company, settled by the recruiterMap the loop before you prepare: each round's order, length, format, tools and AI rule, with the recruiter settling what is open.
  2. 2What each round scores: four named areas, each scored from what you showA round scores the path as well as the answer: about four named areas, each scored only from what you show.
  3. 3Hire signal vs level signal: coding clears the bar, depth and scope set the levelCoding clears the hire bar; design depth and the scope of your stories set the level.

Recruiter screen, pay and logistics

  1. 4The recruiter screen: a short filter you pass with a tailored pitch, a forward reason and your own questionsThe recruiter screen is a short filter: pass it with a tailored pitch, a forward-looking reason, questions of your own and a clear line.
  2. 5Salary expectations and negotiation: the band first, a gross annual range you can justify, and bargaining on a written offerHear their range before you name yours, and give every figure as gross pay for a year, backed by market data.
  3. 6Remote-hire logistics: a start date, how you can be hired, the right to work, and your overlap in CET hoursA remote loop filters on four answers: a start date, how you can be hired, your right to work and your overlap in CET.
  4. 7Running a noisy, parallel pipeline: one round is one sample, so run several and log each oneOne interview is one noisy sample: run several processes, lower stakes first, and write each round down within a day.