Interviewing.io - Detailed Review
Career Tools
Interviewing.io - Product Overview
Introduction to Interviewing.io
Interviewing.io is a valuable resource for software engineers and other technical professionals looking to improve their interview skills and increase their chances of landing jobs at top companies.
Primary Function
The primary function of Interviewing.io is to provide a platform where users can practice technical and behavioral interviews with real interviewers and engineers. This platform allows users to prepare for actual job interviews in a realistic and anonymous environment, focusing solely on their skills rather than their resume or background.
Target Audience
Interviewing.io is primarily aimed at software engineers who are seeking to enhance their interview skills. The platform is beneficial for engineers of all levels, from those with some background experience in programming and computer science to more advanced professionals looking to refine their skills.
Key Features
- Mock Interviews: Users can book practice interviews in various areas such as data structures and algorithms, systems design, machine learning, front-end engineering, engineering management, and behavioral interviews. These interviews can be conducted with peers for free or with senior engineers from companies like Google and Facebook for a fee.
- Anonymous Interviews: The interviews are anonymous, allowing users to be judged solely on their technical skills without any bias related to their resume or background. Users have the option to “unmask” after the interview if they wish to proceed with the hiring process.
- Mentorship Sessions: Users can also sign up for mentorship sessions with professionals to discuss specific areas of interest or career development.
- Personalized Courses: The platform offers 1-on-1 courses to help users master data structures and algorithms or machine learning questions, as well as prepare for specific company interview processes like those at Google, Facebook, and Amazon.
- Employer Access: Top performers on the platform can be fast-tracked for real technical interviews with companies that partner with Interviewing.io, providing a direct pathway to job opportunities.
Additional Benefits
Interviewing.io generates revenue from both engineers paying for mock interviews and employers paying for access to top-performing candidates. This dual revenue stream ensures that the platform maintains high-quality interviewers and provides valuable feedback to users.
By leveraging these features, Interviewing.io helps software engineers prepare effectively for technical interviews and connects them with potential employers in a fair and skills-based manner.
Interviewing.io - User Interface and Experience
User Interface
Intuitive Design
Interviewing.io features a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to easily book and manage their mock interviews. The platform supports real-time user collaboration through a collaborative and replayable whiteboard, which is particularly useful for systems design and coding interviews.
Whiteboard Tool
The whiteboard tool enables users to work on problems in a variety of programming languages and includes a diagramming feature, mimicking the tools used in actual tech company interviews.
Ease of Use
Simplified Booking
The platform is relatively straightforward to use. Users can select the type of interview they want to practice, such as data structures and algorithms, systems design, machine learning, or behavioral interviews. The booking process is simple, allowing users to choose between free peer-to-peer interviews or paid sessions with senior engineers from top tech companies like Google and Facebook.
Anonymity Feature
The anonymity feature, where interviews are conducted via voice only (no video), can make the experience more comfortable for some users, especially those concerned about privacy or colleagues finding out about their job search.
Overall User Experience
Realistic Simulations
Interviewing.io offers a realistic interview experience. After a brief introduction, the interviewer conducts a simulated interview that feels very much like a real Big Tech interview. Users have reported that these mock interviews can be slightly harder than actual interviews, which helps in preparing them better.
Feedback and Improvement
Post-interview, users receive immediate feedback and tips from the interviewer, which are also added to an overall dashboard for the interview. This feedback is crucial for identifying and improving weak spots.
Replay Feature
The platform also allows users to watch replays of their mock interviews, a feature that many users find highly beneficial for self-improvement. Users can opt to share their anonymous interviews with the community, providing additional learning resources for others.
Additional Features
Personalized Courses
Interviewing.io offers personalized 1-on-1 courses and mentorship sessions, which can be booked similarly to the interviews. These sessions help users master specific topics like data structures and algorithms or prepare for company-specific interview processes.
Quality Resources
The platform’s resources, such as its system design interview guide, are highly praised for their quality and usefulness.
Overall, Interviewing.io provides a seamless and beneficial experience for software engineers looking to improve their interview skills and potentially get scouted by top tech companies. The combination of expert coaches, realistic interview simulations, and valuable feedback makes it a valuable tool in the career development process.
Interviewing.io - Key Features and Functionality
Key Features and Functionality of Interviewing.io
Anonymous Mock Interviews
Interviewing.io is primarily an anonymous mock interview platform that allows software engineers to prepare for technical interviews with experienced engineers from top companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon. This anonymity helps in reducing biases and focuses solely on the candidate’s technical skills.Technical Interview Practice
The platform offers mock interviews that mimic the real interview experience, particularly for back-end software engineering roles. These interviews cover various aspects such as data structures, algorithms, systems design, and soft skills. The questions are often similar to those encountered in phone screens for top tech companies.Engineer and Employer Interaction
Engineers use the platform to practice and improve their interview skills through these mock interviews. In return, employers pay to access the top performers identified through these interviews. This model ensures that both engineers and employers benefit, as engineers get valuable feedback and employers get access to well-vetted candidates.Performance Evaluation and Feedback
After each mock interview, candidates receive useful, actionable feedback from the interviewers. This feedback is crucial for candidates to identify areas of improvement and work on them before actual interviews. For employers, this feedback helps in shortlisting candidates based on their performance in these rigorous live tech interviews.No AI-Driven Assessments or Cheating Detection
Unlike some other platforms, Interviewing.io does not use AI for skills assessments or cheating detection. The focus is on live, human-conducted interviews which are considered more reliable for evaluating technical skills. However, there are concerns about the potential for cheating with tools like ChatGPT, which has led to discussions about changing the types of interview questions asked.No Coding Skill Assessments
Interviewing.io does not provide coding skill assessments like some other platforms. Instead, it offers a database of coding questions that candidates can use to practice and hone their coding skills before the interviews.One-Way Video Interviews
The platform also supports one-way video interviews, which can be used to assess candidates’ technical and behavioral skills. This feature allows for a more flexible interview process, especially useful for initial screenings.Data-Driven Candidate Matching
Interviewing.io uses data from the mock interviews to match candidates with employers. This data-driven approach helps in identifying top performers and ensuring that employers get candidates who are well-suited for the roles they are hiring for. In summary, Interviewing.io focuses on providing a realistic and fair interview experience through anonymous mock interviews, valuable feedback, and a data-driven matching process, all without relying on AI-driven assessments or cheating detection mechanisms. Interviewing.io - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of Interviewing.io
Performance
Interviewing.io demonstrates strong performance in several areas:Expert Coaches
The platform boasts a roster of expert coaches who have conducted numerous interviews at top tech companies like FAANG. These coaches undergo a rigorous selection process, including at least 20 interviews and two trial interviews, to ensure they meet the required standards.Mock Interviews
The platform provides realistic mock interviews that closely simulate actual interview scenarios. This is particularly beneficial for engineers preparing for technical interviews at prestigious companies. The feedback from these interviews is based on identical forms used in both mock and real interviews, ensuring consistency and accuracy.Calibration and Accuracy
Interviewing.io has developed a system to ensure the accuracy of its interviewers. By comparing the ratings given by mock interviewers to the performance of candidates in real interviews, the platform can assess whether its interviewers are too strict, too lenient, or well-calibrated. This system helps maintain a high level of accuracy and fairness in the evaluation process.User Engagement
The platform engages its interviewers by providing them with real-time feedback on their performance, including “candidate experience” and “accuracy” scores. This transparency helps interviewers understand their strengths and weaknesses and encourages them to improve.Accuracy
The accuracy of Interviewing.io is supported by several mechanisms:Data-Driven Scores
The platform uses data to calculate the accuracy of its interviewers, ensuring that the scores are based on objective measures rather than subjective opinions. This approach helps in maintaining fairness and consistency in the evaluation process.Continuous Improvement
Interviewing.io has a throttling system that prioritizes top-rated interviewers for the most customer-facing interviews. This ensures that the best interviewers are consistently involved, which helps in maintaining high accuracy standards.Feedback and Calibration
The platform’s focus on continuous feedback and calibration of interviewers helps in refining their judgment over time. This process ensures that the interviewers’ assessments align closely with the actual performance of candidates in real interviews.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, there are some limitations and areas where Interviewing.io could improve:Pricing
The service is relatively expensive, with mock interviews starting at $225, which can be a barrier for some users. The cost can increase depending on the subject matter and the specific company the interviewer is from.Waitlists
There is often a waitlist for signing up, which can be inconvenient for users who need immediate interview coaching.Limited Flexibility in Coach Selection
Users cannot choose their own coaches; instead, Interviewing.io matches them with a coach. While this ensures quality, it may not cater to individual preferences.Focus on Technical Interviews
The platform is primarily geared towards technical and system design interviews, which may not be suitable for users looking for other types of mock interviews, such as behavioral or product interviews.Awareness and Education
Some interviewers may not fully understand the importance of candidate experience and accuracy, highlighting a need for better education and communication within the interviewer community. In summary, Interviewing.io performs well in terms of providing expert coaching, accurate mock interviews, and continuous improvement mechanisms. However, it faces challenges related to pricing, waitlists, and the limited flexibility in coach selection, as well as its narrow focus on technical interviews. Addressing these areas could further enhance the platform’s overall effectiveness and user satisfaction. Interviewing.io - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure of Interviewing.io
The pricing structure of Interviewing.io, a platform focused on technical interviews and candidate assessment, is characterized by its flexibility and pay-as-you-go model. Here are the key points:
Pricing Model
Interviewing.io operates on a flexible pricing model where you only pay when candidates pass the technical bar. This means you are charged based on the successful outcomes of the technical assessments.
No Fixed Tiers
Unlike some other platforms, Interviewing.io does not offer predefined tiers such as free, starter, or pro plans. Instead, the cost is directly tied to the number of candidates who successfully pass the technical evaluations.
Contact for Details
To get specific pricing details, you need to contact Interviewing.io directly through their website. They do not publicly disclose the exact costs, so it is necessary to reach out for a customized quote.
No Free Trials or Free Plans
There is no mention of free trials or free plans on the Interviewing.io website. The model is based on paying for successful candidate assessments.
Summary
In summary, Interviewing.io’s pricing is outcome-based, requiring you to pay only when candidates pass the technical bar, and you need to contact them for specific pricing information.
Interviewing.io - Integration and Compatibility
Integration with Greenhouse Recruiting
Interviewing.io integrates with Greenhouse Recruiting, a popular recruitment platform. To set up this integration, users need to create an Ingestion API key in Greenhouse Recruiting and provide it to Interviewing.io. This integration allows candidates and their contact information to be automatically added to Greenhouse Recruiting after successful interviews on Interviewing.io. The integration also includes the transfer of interview feedback, such as technical skills, communication skills, and problem-solving ability scores, along with freeform feedback from the interviewers.
Compatibility and Features
Interviewing.io primarily focuses on technical interview practice and engineering recruitment. It does not offer a wide range of integrations with various assessment tools or platforms like some of its competitors, such as iMocha. However, it does provide essential features like one-way video interviews, anonymous mock interviews with experienced engineers, and the ability to book real technical interviews with companies that hire through the platform.
Device and Platform Compatibility
While specific details on device and platform compatibility are not extensively documented, Interviewing.io is designed to be accessible via web browsers, allowing users to book and participate in interviews from any device with an internet connection. This suggests a level of flexibility in terms of device compatibility, although there is no explicit mention of mobile app support or specific platform requirements.
Limitations
There is limited information available on the integration of Interviewing.io with other career tools or AI-driven products beyond the Greenhouse Recruiting integration. If you are looking for a platform with extensive integration capabilities or a broader range of assessment tools, you might need to consider other options like iMocha, which offers more comprehensive integration and feature sets.
Summary
In summary, Interviewing.io’s primary integration is with Greenhouse Recruiting, and it is accessible via web browsers, but it does not have a wide array of integrations with other tools or platforms.
Interviewing.io - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
- If you have questions or need assistance, you can contact the team directly by sending an email to
interviewers@interviewing.io. This is the primary method for getting in touch with the team and receiving feedback or support.
Additional Resources
- Experienced Interviewers: Interviewing.io boasts a pool of highly experienced interviewers from top tech companies such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and more. These interviewers have gone through an intense screening process to ensure they meet high standards.
- Mock Interviews: The platform offers practice technical and behavioral interviews that mimic real interviews at top companies. These interviews focus on CS fundamentals, data structures, algorithms, and systems design, helping you get comfortable with the format and content of actual technical interviews.
- Anonymity: Interviews are conducted via voice only, with no video, and your interviewer will not have access to any of your personal information. This ensures anonymity and allows you to reveal as much or as little about yourself as you prefer.
- Feedback and Improvement: While the platform does not provide direct feedback during the interview, performing well in these mock interviews can lead to access to their jobs portal, where you can get warm introductions to hiring decision-makers at top companies.
- Recommendations for Additional Practice: For those who are new to technical interviews, Interviewing.io recommends working on algorithmic problems using resources like Interview Cake to get comfortable with the format before using their service.
Job Opportunities
- One of the significant benefits is the potential to get interviews at top companies without the need for traditional job application processes. If you perform well in the mock interviews, you can gain access to their jobs portal and receive introductions to hiring decision-makers.
Overall, Interviewing.io provides a structured and supportive environment for improving your technical interview skills, with a focus on real-world scenarios and high-quality feedback through the performance-based access to job opportunities.
Interviewing.io - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Interviewing.io
Expert Coaches and Feedback
Interviewing.io offers mock interviews with expert coaches who have conducted numerous interviews at prestigious tech companies like Google, Amazon, and Facebook. These coaches provide valuable, actionable feedback to help improve your interview performance.
Anonymity
The platform ensures complete anonymity, which can be comforting for candidates who do not want their colleagues to know they are in the interview process. This anonymity also helps companies reduce bias in their hiring processes and increase diversity in engineering teams.
ROI and Career Opportunities
Investing in mock interviews with Interviewing.io can lead to significant salary gains if you secure a job at top tech companies. Performing well in these mock interviews can also lead to real interview opportunities and potential job referrals.
Free Resources and Comprehensive Guides
Interviewing.io provides high-quality free guides, such as its system design interview guide, which are highly regarded by users.
Variety of Interview Types
The platform offers a range of interview types, including data structures and algorithms, systems design, machine learning, front-end engineering, behavioral, and engineering management. This variety helps candidates prepare for different aspects of technical and behavioral interviews.
Disadvantages of Interviewing.io
Pricing
Interviewing.io is relatively expensive, with mock interviews starting at $225 and increasing depending on the subject matter and the specific company of the interviewer. This can be a significant cost for many users.
Waitlists
Signing up for Interviewing.io often places you on a waitlist, which means you may not be able to access the services immediately. This can be a drawback if you need urgent interview coaching.
No Option to Choose a Mentor
Users cannot select their own coaches; instead, Interviewing.io matches them with an appropriate interviewer. While you can request a coach from a specific company, the final choice is not yours.
Not Suitable for Beginners
The platform is best suited for candidates with some experience in technical interviews. It is not recommended for beginners who are new to the format of technical interviews.
Technical Focus
Interviewing.io primarily focuses on technical and coding interviews, such as system design and algorithms. If you need practice in other types of interviews, like SQL or product management, you may need to look elsewhere.
Limited Additional Features
Unlike some other platforms, Interviewing.io does not offer additional features such as a skilled library to assess various skill sets or tools to detect cheating during assessments.
By weighing these pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether Interviewing.io aligns with your needs and budget for improving your technical interview skills.
Interviewing.io - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Interviewing.io to Competitors and Alternatives
When comparing Interviewing.io to its competitors and alternatives in the AI-driven career tools category, several key points and unique features stand out.
Unique Features of Interviewing.io
- Anonymity: One of the most distinctive features of Interviewing.io is its anonymous interview practice. This allows candidates to hide their identity, which can help reduce biases in the hiring process and make candidates more comfortable, especially if they are concerned about their colleagues finding out they are in an interview process.
- Expert Coaches: Interviewing.io offers coaching services from experts who have conducted numerous interviews at top tech companies like FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google). These coaches provide valuable insights and real mentorship sessions.
- Full-Length Practice Courses: The platform offers comprehensive practice courses and real mentorship sessions, which are particularly beneficial for experienced engineers looking to improve their technical and behavioral interview skills.
Competitors and Alternatives
Modern Hire, 50skills, and ePoise
These platforms are direct competitors to Interviewing.io in the digital interview platform category. Here’s a brief overview:
- Modern Hire: Known for its significant market share, Modern Hire provides a range of digital interview tools but may not offer the same level of anonymity or expert coaching as Interviewing.io.
- 50skills: Another competitor with a substantial market share, 50skills focuses on technical skills assessment but lacks the anonymous interview feature and the specific focus on FAANG companies.
- ePoise: ePoise also offers digital interview solutions but does not match Interviewing.io’s unique anonymity feature and expert coaching from top tech companies.
IGotAnOffer
IGotAnOffer is a coaching platform that offers several services similar to Interviewing.io:
- Visible Coach Selection: Unlike Interviewing.io, IGotAnOffer allows users to see the availability and profiles of coaches before booking a session. It also offers a money-back guarantee if the user is not satisfied.
- Career Mentoring: In addition to mock interviews, IGotAnOffer provides career mentoring, leadership coaching, resume review, and salary negotiation coaching.
Hello Interview and DesignGurus.io
- Hello Interview: This platform combines AI with expert coaches from FAANG companies to help prepare for interviews. It also offers resume reviews and salary negotiation coaching, similar to Interviewing.io, but without the anonymity feature.
- DesignGurus.io: Specializing in mock interviews for software engineers, DesignGurus.io offers coding and system design interviews, along with other job-related coaching services. However, it does not provide the same level of anonymity as Interviewing.io.
Prepfully
Prepfully is another interview prep website that offers mock interviews with expert coaches, interview guides, and a question bank. While it provides comprehensive resources, it lacks the unique anonymity feature of Interviewing.io.
Other AI Job Search Tools
While not direct competitors, other AI job search tools can complement or offer alternative solutions to Interviewing.io:
JobCopilot
JobCopilot automates job application submissions, offers AI-powered resume and cover letter builders, and provides advanced job-matching algorithms. It is more focused on the application process rather than interview preparation.
BulkApply
BulkApply is designed for high-volume job applications, allowing users to apply to multiple jobs quickly. It does not offer the interview preparation and coaching services that Interviewing.io provides.
CareersPro and AcademyOcean AI Career Path
These tools focus on career discovery and development rather than interview preparation. They offer AI-powered career path recommendations, personalized skill assessments, and development plans, which can be useful for those in the exploratory phase of their career.
Conclusion
In summary, Interviewing.io stands out with its anonymous interview practice and expert coaching from top tech companies, making it a strong choice for experienced engineers aiming for FAANG companies. However, alternatives like IGotAnOffer, Hello Interview, and DesignGurus.io offer different strengths and may be more suitable depending on individual needs and preferences.
Interviewing.io - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Interviewing.io
What is Interviewing.io and what services does it offer?
Interviewing.io is a platform that helps software developers prepare for technical interviews with top technology companies like Facebook, Google, and Amazon. It offers mock interviews with experienced engineers, allowing users to practice and improve their technical interviewing skills. The platform also provides features such as anonymous mock interviews and the ability to review recorded interviews.How much does Interviewing.io cost?
The pricing for Interviewing.io starts at $225 per mock interview, but the cost can increase depending on the subject matter and the specific coach requested. For example, interviews with coaches from more prestigious companies may be more expensive. There is also a free tier where users can engage in peer practice with other users.What types of interviews can I practice on Interviewing.io?
Interviewing.io focuses primarily on technical interviews, including coding and system design interviews. It does not offer mock interviews for other types of interviews such as behavioral, SQL, or product management interviews.Can I choose my own coach or interviewer on Interviewing.io?
No, Interviewing.io does not allow you to choose your own coach. You can request a coach from a specific company, and the platform will take care of the match. However, you cannot select a specific coach from their list.Is Interviewing.io suitable for beginners?
Interviewing.io is generally recommended for users who have some experience with technical interviews. It is not ideal for beginners, as it assumes a certain level of familiarity with the technical interview format.What features does Interviewing.io offer beyond mock interviews?
In addition to mock interviews, Interviewing.io provides features like one-way video interviews, the ability to review and store recorded interviews, and a focus on technical skills such as data structures and algorithms, and systems design. However, it does not offer coding skill assessments or a library of coding questions like some other platforms.Is there a waitlist for using Interviewing.io services?
Yes, signing up for an Interviewing.io account may put you on a waitlist. This means there is no guarantee you can use their services immediately, which can be a drawback if you need interview coaching quickly.Does Interviewing.io offer any financial assistance or payment plans?
Interviewing.io has a free tier for peer practice and is working on a deferred payment plan where users can pay for premium interviews after they find their next job. Additionally, some professional interviewers volunteer their time to help users from underrepresented groups prepare for free.Can I use Interviewing.io for real job interviews as well as practice?
Yes, Interviewing.io allows both practice interviews and real interviews with companies to take place within their ecosystem. This means you can transition from practice to actual job interviews using the same platform.Are the interviews on Interviewing.io anonymous?
Yes, Interviewing.io offers the option for anonymous mock interviews. This feature allows users to practice without revealing their identities, which can be helpful for gaining experience and feedback without the pressure of a real interview. Interviewing.io - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Interviewing.io
Overview and Benefits
Interviewing.io is a unique platform that stands out in the career tools and AI-driven product category, particularly for software engineers and tech recruiters. Founded in 2015 by Aline Lerner, the platform focuses on anonymous technical interviews, which helps in preparing candidates for real-world technical interviews with top companies like Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple.
Key Features
- Anonymous Mock Interviews: Candidates can practice technical interviews anonymously, which helps in reducing bias and focusing on relevant skills rather than resumes or subjective measurements.
- Improved Hiring Outcomes: Candidates who participate in five or more mock interviews on the platform can double their likelihood of getting hired, and their interview performance can even lead to a $50K boost in compensation offered.
- Efficient Recruitment: The platform can reduce recruiting time by up to 80% by identifying candidates who are already considering new jobs and providing recruiters with vetted candidates.
- Skill Assessment: It covers various aspects of technical and behavioral interviews, including data structures, algorithms, systems design, and soft skills.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Software Engineers: This platform is highly beneficial for software engineers looking to improve their technical interview skills and increase their chances of getting hired by top tech companies. Practicing anonymous interviews helps them prepare better and gain confidence in their abilities.
- Tech Recruiters: Recruiters can significantly benefit from using interviewing.io as it provides them with a pool of pre-vetted candidates who have already demonstrated their technical skills through rigorous live interviews. This reduces the time and effort required to fill roles and ensures that only qualified candidates are considered.
Recommendation
Interviewing.io is a valuable resource for both software engineers and tech recruiters. For engineers, it offers a practical way to prepare for technical interviews and increase their job prospects. For recruiters, it streamlines the hiring process by providing a pipeline of qualified candidates.
Given its ability to remove bias, improve interview performance, and speed up the recruitment process, interviewing.io is highly recommended for anyone involved in the tech hiring ecosystem. The platform’s focus on skills over resumes and its anonymous interview format make it an equitable and effective tool for both candidates and recruiters.