After two previous interviews today I got this like email:
“I spoke with {} recently and he shared that he’d like to invite you to a final round of interviews for the Mobile Software Engineer role onsite in {} – congrats! What does your availability look like on the following dates to come onsite to {} for your interviews (July 21 – 25, 2025 or July 28 – August 1, 2025)? The interviews will be about a half day. When I receive confirmation of your availability, I’ll begin scheduling your final round of interviews and will send you final confirmation details via email when that’s complete.”
— I’ve never had a real job besides research in University and entry level stuff like sign spinning; what should I expect when I go in? What should/shouldn’t I do?
— does this mostly mean they’re checking to see if I’m not a psycho? But if I’m not I’ve got the job?
— it might just be reading into it but they said interviews plural— am I going in multiple days? Or does this mean there are other people interviewing?
Thanks! Crazy excited after hundreds of applications. I know I can knock there socks off if I get a chance— I really don’t want to mess this up.
This is both positive and negative, but it’s overall a success in the interview process, but not a job quite yet.
You’re in what is generally the final stage, you’ll likely have a call or meeting after this in a week or two to discuss results.
You’re currently up against everyone else who has survived the interview process. They’re looking for one or more things on this list:
“Culture Fit” (they want to work with you because they like who you are)
Technical Expertise (they want your skills to augment the team and are comfortable with who you are and the idea of working with you)
Extraordinary Technical Expertise (in the right setting sometimes all that matters is you’re really good at one or more desperately needed skills)
Internal Business Needs (your skillset fulfills some internal need, you can ask if this is the case, actually)
Ultimately what rings true is generally the best thing you can do is see if your personality is a fit for the team’s culture. They want to see you try, you’ll need to evaluate them as well. Don’t go overboard, be sincere. Clearly they are entertaining the idea of working with you.
Odds are you’ll be asked a selection of technical questions. It is not an exam, the right answer is not the goal, and honestly every correct solution will be rewarded with more bullshit to get you thinking and adapting. They’ll be evaluating you, not your solution nor your perfect ability to spit out code. They might be wondering “can I pair program with this person” or perhaps something else, be that person they want, ideally by being yourself.
Why is it negative? This is the part where you get your hopes up, and ultimately you are still against the best part of the interview pool. Mentally prepare to walk away proud you got here, hope for the offer and acceptance!
If you are in the United States: You will not have a job until you show up on your first day. Job offers, employment contracts, don’t bother entertaining the illusion these are bulletproof documents that grant you any protection if they back out. Ideally don’t worry about it, I’ve seen some people get screwed over lol.
If you are not in the United States: Getting to this point in the interviews is even more impressive and lucrative, further congratulations are in order: Congrats, get that contract!
In the US so hopes are up but certainly wont rest on any hypothetical laurels until I show up for the first day— I think that’s the crutch is being sincere without showing how much I desperately want the job— in the interviews I made some good jokes and think I showed my interested were aligned— thank you for the advice!