I applied online. I interviewed at Canva (Sydney) in Dec 2020
Interview
An online test on HackerRank, after finishing the coding challenge, they sent me an email to inform me that my work was considered not qualified.
I was very curious about the reason because the test only contains one algorithm question. And I was pretty sure that my answer should be the best. So, I wrote an email to their recruiter and asked them why I was turned down. I just wanted to know the reason and whether they could give me a better way than my solution if possible.
Then, the recruiter replied to my email, and said that they had a plagiarism checker, which means they think I am a cheater and might copy the code somewhere else.
At that point, I was so furious and told them that the algorithm question they gave to me is not that difficult at all. In fact, I first met this question on LeetCode. Then, this year, when I was interviewed in Microsoft China, they gave me the same question. So, at least, this question was my third time. I know the best solution, but that means I am a cheater???
So, for those people who would take their coding challenge online, I have suggestions for you guys. Do not try to do an algorithm question in the best way because the great Canva will think that you are a cheater and their successful so called "plagiarism checker" is so smart that it can tell that your code is nothing but rubbish-like copy work.
I have never been so angry and disappointed like this before, their arrogant attitude is totally a disaster. I would recommend them not to use this way anymore because the better the code that candidates give, the more likely Canva will think it's plagiarism.
Very funny, I write this interview experience just to let everybody know it and be fully prepared if you are going to take such an interesting online test with Canva.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
An online coding challenge about an hour to solve a very easy algorithm using two-window or slider
Three rounds:
1. An interview over Zoom about key JS concepts. Pretty chill, suggests directions if you get lost.
2. A pair coding exercise using Fetch API. Once again, very helpful.
3. Three back-to-back interviews. This is where it gets tiring if you're not used to these types of coding interviews. One mainly JS, one mainly CSS, and one random.
+ A non-tech interview where they ask you standard interview questions.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What is your greatest weakness?
Why did you choose to work with Canva?
I applied through a recruiter. I interviewed at Canva
Interview
Recruiter contacted few times in the last few years and I finally decided to give it chance.
1. Call with recruiter, you might be asked JS/Web questions like explain X, or what a function does.
2. Call with an engineer, it's 1 easy task that you will asked to implement step by step.
3. 2 rounds of technical interviews with more difficult questions.
Last part when it went wrong for me, I had 2 rounds separated but since I live in EU, I had back to back interviews after midnight. First I was definitely sleepy even though I had some coffee/redbulls and the second one was a disaster because I couldn't sleep properly the previous night due to high caffeine.
I did try to give them my preferred times which was early in the morning, but however I was given with midnight options. I don't get why they expect a person to perform well enough to pass a technical interview in the middle of the night.
2
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