Imagine this: you’re a fresh graduate, stepping into the world of job interviews, and you get an email inviting you to interview for an internship at Optimizely. Excitement and nerves hit you all at once. Where do you even start? What do they expect? How should you prepare?

This is the exact position I found myself in. My nerves were through the roof, but I knew this was a fantastic opportunity, so I decided to dive in headfirst and learn everything I could about the process. Here’s my story — and some tips to help you on your own journey if you’re dreaming of that first job in tech.

Step 1: The Initial Call — Building a Strong First Impression

The process started with a simple call from Optimizely’s Talent Acquisition team. They asked about my background, my favorite tech stack, and what projects I’d worked on. At this point, I knew this was a warm-up round. It’s all about making sure you fit the basics of the role and have a genuine interest in the company.

I kept my answers straightforward and shared what I loved about programming. My advice? Keep it honest and relaxed. They want to get to know you and see if your interests match the role.

Step 2: Researching Like a Detective

Once I knew I’d be moving on to the next round, I went into full research mode. I read every interview review I could find on Glassdoor. I watched YouTube videos from candidates who’d been through similar interviews. I even found a channel by one of Optimizely’s directors, Sabbir Siddiqui, called Tech Tong. His videos gave me a real sense of what to expect in the technical interview.

My goal was to prepare for anything they might throw at me. Knowing what was ahead made me feel like I had a map for this journey, and I could anticipate any twists and turns.

Step 3: The Technical Interview — Facing My Fears

The day arrived for my technical interview with the Director of Engineering. My heart was racing. I wasn’t just meeting a senior engineer — I was meeting the director himself! But from the moment we started, he was warm and approachable. He asked about my background, my projects, and why I chose programming despite not coming from a computer science background. It felt more like a conversation than an interrogation.

After some ice-breaker questions, he moved on to technical questions, focusing on software engineering principles and design basics. Then came the live coding test. He asked me to find duplicates in a string and count them — something like turning “abcda” into a result that counts each letter.

My hands were shaking a bit, but I took a deep breath and started coding. I knew the problem was simple, but the pressure made it challenging. I took it step-by-step, explaining my thought process out loud. The director gave me encouraging nods, which helped me calm down.

Step 4: The Behavioral Interview — It’s About More Than Just Coding

The final part was the behavioral interview, where we talked more about my projects, my teamwork experience, and how I handled difficult situations. I realized this was my chance to show who I am beyond the code. They wanted to see how I think, adapt, and work with others.

They asked me to describe my most recent project, the hardest part of it, and how I’d solved any major issues. I used the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure my answers, making it clear and easy to follow. For example, I shared a story about debugging a major issue on a project and how my persistence paid off.

What I Learned — The Key Takeaways

Reflecting on the experience, I learned that Optimizely’s interview process is about more than just technical skills. They want people who are adaptable, self-driven, and comfortable working through challenges. Here are the three biggest lessons I took away:

1. Research is Your Best Friend: Know the company, its culture, and what other candidates have experienced. It gives you an edge and makes you feel prepared.

2. Practice Coding Under Pressure: For the live coding test, use sites like LeetCode or HackerRank to practice common problems. It’s not just about getting the answer — it’s about showing how you think through a problem.

3. Be Yourself in the Behavioral Round: They’re looking for someone who’ll fit with their team, not just a coding machine. Share your stories, your struggles, and what you learned from them.

Final Thoughts — Embrace the Journey

In the end, I wasn’t selected for the role, but I walked away with so much more. I understood my strengths and weaknesses better, felt more confident in my interview skills, and discovered ways to improve.

Every interview, no matter the outcome, is part of your journey. The Optimizely process showed me how to tackle interviews with curiosity and courage. If you’re stepping into your own journey, remember to stay calm, prepare well, and embrace the experience. Good luck!

Note:

This post was inspired by the story shared by Tamanna Akter Bithy about her own interview experience at Optimizely. Her insights and journey provided the foundation for this guide, helping other fresh candidates prepare with confidence.

Thank you, Tamanna, for sharing his story and inspiring others!