The interview process was unfortunately not what was communicated. I had asked for clarification beforehand about the technical interview format and was told to expect a conversational discussion about past experiences, tech choices, and architecture decisions. However, the actual interview included a code walkthrough, a whiteboard-style system design, and low-level Java questions (e.g. ThreadLocal, BiPredicate) — all without any prior notice.
What made the system design part especially difficult was the lack of preparation from the interviewer. Rather than giving a clear, structured problem or written brief, he just explained it verbally and expected me to start designing the system immediately, which felt disorganized and unprofessional.
I completely understand the need for technical depth, but surprising candidates with an entirely different format than what was promised is not respectful of their time or effort.
That said, communication with the recruiter was polite and kind throughout, and they were open to feedback afterward, which I appreciate.
My suggestion to Futurice: be more transparent and consistent about the interview process, especially for senior positions. A clearly outlined format and prepared system design task would go a long way in ensuring fairness.