1. Application
Once you’ve found a vacancy at Electrum that matches your interests, abilities and skill set, you’ll need to work on your CV.
- Align your qualifications and skill set with the job description. Highlight the projects you have worked on and managed – what was the problem you had to solve, how did you go about solving it, what was the outcome, how did you go about measuring your success?
- Layout is important. Ensure your CV is clear and concise.
- If you are a graduate, describe university projects you have completed.
- If you have a portfolio or software account that demonstrates your work, include a link
- Highlight any leadership roles you’ve occupied, work-related or otherwise
- Include your academic transcripts along with your application
2. Screening Call
If your CV indicates to us that you might be a good fit for the job, we’ll set up a phone interview.
What can you expect:
- Duration: 15 – 20 minutes
- A request for more detail about projects you’ve worked on
- A discussion about your expectations of the role
- Questions about your salary expectations
- Answers to any questions you might have about Electrum and the position.
Feedback about the screening call is then sent to the hiring manager to review.
3a. Technical Interview: Developer
Try to see this as a fun challenge – rather give the problem a go than give up on it.
What you can expect:
- Duration: 2 hours, usually at Electrum’s offices
Technical questions that focus on the following areas:
- Data structures – we want to see that you have a basic knowledge of the standard data structures, e.g. hashable, lists, arrays, trees, and the pros and cons of each one.
- Object orientation – you’re expected to have a basic knowledge of the differences between OO languages and non-OO languages. You should be comfortable with OO terminology and concepts.
- Java theory – our primary tech stack is Java, so some questions will be focused around it; however, these concepts are general OO concepts.
- Whiteboard question – you will be asked solve a simple problem on the whiteboard using Java code.
3b. Technical Interview: General
Candidates for operational positions are also given a technical interview. It’s a chance for us to discover your career history, competencies and goals, and ask a few hypothetical questions.
Here’s what you can expect, along with some additional pointers:
- Expect a range of questions, some challenging and some easy.
- Practice and prepare – aloud, think of possible questions and possible answers.
- Our questions might probe past professional behaviours, or present hypothetical situations for you to describe how you might react.
- How to answer a question – ensure that you include an example of why and how.
- Try to follow a structure in your answer – the STAR method (Situation, Task/Target, Action, Result) helps you avoid rambling, unfocused answers.
- For hypothetical or problem-solving questions, walk us through your thought process – your interviewers want to understand your decision-making and thought process. Ensure this is evident throughout the interview and demonstrate your ability to problem solve. Touch base to check that you are on the right path. Don’t be afraid to ask clarifying questions.
- Talking about improvements – when talking about your solutions, identify areas you could have improved on, what you are doing to improve.
- Pinpoint how you would add value to Electrum – talk about your skill set, strengths and passion, and what you would be able to bring to the Electrum team. Think about what you want from your career, and how that aligns with Electrum’s vision.
- After the interview, we should have a sense of your career story.
4. Second-Round Interview
If it seems like you have the skills and character to be a team member at Electrum, we’ll ask you back for a second-round interview. This interview will focus on the specific position we’re looking to fill.
What to expect:
- A mix of behavioural and situational questions related to skills, experience and abilities needed to be successful in the specified role.
5. Team Dinner
We regard this every bit as important as the previous steps. After all, we spend a substantial part of our weekdays at work, collaborating closely with each other… OK, some of that time is spent goofing around with each other, but still – fit is important! And it’s important you feel it’ll be a good fit, too.
What to expect:
- We’ll take you out for a relaxed dinner where you’ll meet with people from different departments. You’ll get a sense of the Electrum culture and be able to assess whether you could see yourself working here.
6. Decision Time
Once the interview process is complete, the hiring team will review your technical and soft-skills interviews.
7. Offer
If the interview feedback is positive, we’ll extend an offer to you.
