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The Janea Systems Recruitment Process

January 26, 2024

By Janea Systems

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At Janea Systems, recruitment goes beyond just filling positions; it’s about weaving together a community of the industry’s finest minds committed to engineering excellence. Rooted in a legacy of elite software engineering, we hire individuals who excel in coding and are passionate about crafting solutions that leave a lasting impact. Our recruitment process consists of three stages designed meticulously to identify and nurture standout talent.

We understand that recruitment isn’t one-sided. Yes, interviews are a way for us to vet the best and brightest in the industry, but they’re also a way for you to see if you’d enjoy working here, too.

Our talent selection philosophy

In the fast-paced world of software engineering, the ability to rapidly learn and adapt is paramount. At Janea Systems, we understand that the field is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means embracing continuous learning. That’s why, rather than focusing solely on specific knowledge, we prioritize the capacity for rapid learning and adaptation in our engineers. Our technical interviews are tailored to this philosophy, featuring questions that challenge candidates to solve unfamiliar problems rather than just testing their knowledge of language constructs and libraries.

Adaptability and a proactive mindset are at the heart of what we look for in our team members. We value individuals who are not only skilled problem solvers but also those who demonstrate a high level of adaptability and a can-do attitude, crucial qualities for driving our clients’ mission-critical software engineering initiatives.
Collaboration and communication are key components of our culture at Janea Systems. We seek engineers who are passionate about their work and thrive in a collaborative environment. Our culture celebrates teamwork, encouraging each member to contribute their unique skills and perspectives.

Our philosophy ensures that our team is equipped to handle today’s challenges and prepared to lead tomorrow’s innovations. Our approach is a testament to our commitment to excellence, fostering a culture where exceptional talent thrives and innovation is a daily pursuit.

Janea Systems Interview Rounds

Before advancing to the offer conversation and, hopefully, joining our award-winning team of elite engineers, there are three stages of interviews: 

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We’ll take you through each below, explain why they’re important, and give you some tips from engineers who have been through the process themselves and made it out the other side (don’t worry, it’s not that bad).  

Stage 1: The Online Coding Challenge

The Online Coding Challenge lasts around an hour and aims to gauge your ability to solve a problem using the coding language you specialize in. You’ll be tasked with coding a general solution that can handle any input within the given constraints. Authored by our engineers, it’s a pass-or-fail evaluation, with the testing platform automatically assessing your answer. 

Why It’s Important

This stage is crucial as it lays the groundwork for evaluating your technical skills and problem-solving ability within your area of expertise. 

Tips for Acing the Online Coding Challenge

A thorough understanding of coding principles within your chosen language and getting accustomed to common coding challenges will steer you through this stage effectively. These preparation tests are a good place to start. 

Stage 2: Recruiter Interview

At this stage, you’ll be invited to a conversation, lasting no longer than an hour, with a member of our recruitment team to delve into your previous experiences. This interview also provides an opportunity to learn more about who we are, what we stand for, and how we work as a company. 

Why It’s Important

This conversation is a two-way street. We get to learn more about you, and you get a glimpse into Janea Systems’ culture, laying the groundwork for a potentially great fit. 

Preparing for Success

It should go without saying, but read the job description. Try to align your experience with the job description. Also, having a clear narrative about your professional experience and a couple of questions about Janea Systems can lead to a better discussion.  

Stage 3: Technical Interview

You’ve made it through the Online Coding Challenge, so you’ve shown some programming and problem-solving competency. You’ve made it through the Recruiter Interview, so we think you’re a good fit for the company. The final hurdle is a 2-hour Technical Interview, a deep dive into your technical and collaborative abilities. 

The 2-hour lab coding interview is designed to be dynamic and engaging. We start with a couple of logic problems. These are not just warm-up exercises but also an opportunity for us to understand your approach to problem-solving and logical thinking. 

Following the initial logic problems, we dive into a live coding challenge. As per our commitment to flexibility, you can choose any programming language you are comfortable with for this part of the interview. This approach allows us to see you in your element, using the tools you know best, which is crucial for a fair and effective assessment. The technical interview gives us insight into not only your coding skills but also how you approach problems and iterate on your solutions. It’s also a chance for us to see how you work under a bit of pressure and how you manage time and resources. 

Great engineering is as much about working well with others as it is about technical expertise. We’ll be looking at how you communicate your ideas, respond to feedback, and adapt to new information or challenges. 

Why It’s Important

This intensive evaluation goes beyond mere coding. It embodies Janea Systems’ philosophy of holistic problem-solving paired with robust collaboration. Our approach to software engineering isn’t just about code but revolves around critical thinking, effective collaboration, and delivering impactful solutions. 

Tips from our Technical Interviewers

  1. Don’t Rely on IDEs: You won’t have access to an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Expect to code without the aid of auto-suggestions or syntax help. This format aims to gauge your ability to think and code without external aids. 
  2. We’re Looking for Expressive Coding: Our primary focus isn’t to test your memory of syntax. We’re keen on seeing how you translate a coherent thought process into functional code. The objective isn’t specific knowledge but an expressive representation of your solution. 
  3. We’re Assessing Critical Thinking: It’s not just about coding. It’s about aligning your solution with the company’s goals, project requirements, and client needs. Demonstrating a capacity to evaluate situations and pivot your solutions accordingly critically is paramount. 
  4. Understand the Problem Before Coding: A common pitfall many candidates stumble into is jumping directly into coding. Taking a moment to comprehend the problem fully can be the difference between a practical solution and a convoluted one. 
  5. Respond to Feedback: During the interview, you may receive feedback. Ignoring it can be detrimental. If the interviewer offers a direction or perspective, it’s worth considering. 
  6. Simplicity Over Complexity: A crucial tip to remember is the essence of simplicity. Given the time constraints, our problems are designed to be succinct. Overcomplicating solutions or attempting to draft extensive code might not be the best strategy (we’re not expecting 500 lines of code in 2 hours). 
  7. Get a good night’s sleep before the interview.

Displaying a balanced blend of technical knowledge, clear communication, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving will ensure you’re on the way to joining the ranks of Janea Systems’ software engineering team. 

Understanding that each engineer has unique strengths, we try to be as flexible in the interview process as we are in our work. Choices, such as allowing you to pick which programming language in your technical interview, are not just about accommodating your preferences; it’s about seeing you at your best and most confident. It’s an opportunity for us to see how you apply your skills to an unfamiliar challenge in a familiar context. We believe this is crucial for a genuine assessment of your capabilities.

Adapting to various challenges and environments indicates how you will thrive while working on our diverse and ever-evolving projects. It’s these qualities that define our team at Janea Systems and enable us to consistently deliver excellence on projects that impact millions of developers and billions of people every day.

Resources to Help You Prepare

Daily Coding Problem 

Practice for Cracking Any Coding Interview

The Myth and Reality of the 10X Engineer

Conclusion

At Janea Systems, we’re thrilled to have brilliant minds like yours contribute to our mission of delivering unparalleled software solutions. If you’re ready to embark on a fulfilling career in software engineering, check out our open positions here.

Good luck in your interviews!

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