I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Elisa Corporation (Helsinki, Southern Finland) in Sep 2025
Interview
Steps:
1. Applied online
2. Pre-recorded video interview
3. Take home 3 assessments
4. Invited to on-premise Elisa Corporate office where I had behavioural interview + live technical test (1h and 16min)
Pros:
The interview was conducted in a modern office environment.
Cons:
1. Confusing Communication & Unprofessionalism: The technical interviewer's approach was unusual and unhelpful. Instead of providing guidance, they frequently responded with a vague "not quite" to answers, without offering clarification or a chance to elaborate.
2. Technical Inaccuracy & Lack of Humility: The interviewer made a fundamental technical error, stating that a star schema is a normalized data model. When I politely corrected them with the industry-standard definition (that it is denormalized for efficiency), they simply skipped the topic without acknowledging the mistake.
3. Dismissive Attitude: When discussing the use of surrogate keys, my explanation based on industry best practices for data efficiency and integrity was dismissed with a condescending tone, and the interviewer stated it was "not a good answer." This shows an unwillingness to engage with different perspectives or accept correct professional knowledge.
4. Misleading Work Policy: Despite being told the company is flexible with a hybrid work model, it was stated during the interview that 3 days a week in the office would be a compulsory requirement. This contradicts that the interviewer himself is working from another city 400km away from the main office.
5. Long, Grueling Interview: The interview lasted for 1 hour and 16 minutes without a break, which felt unnecessarily long and intense.
Suggestion:
1. Interviewers should be trained on how to provide a productive and respectful experience for candidates. This includes:
2. Being open to being corrected and engaging in professional, technical dialogue.
3. Avoiding dismissive and condescending language.
Providing clear and accurate information regarding company policies, especially the hybrid work model.
Ensuring technical interviewers have a solid grasp of the foundational concepts they are testing candidates on.
My experience left me with serious concerns about the communication style and professional culture of the team.
Advice to management:
Review the interview process, particularly the technical interview stage. Interviewers should be trained on how to provide a productive and respectful experience for candidates. This includes:
1. Being open to being corrected and engaging in professional, technical dialogue.
2. Avoiding dismissive and condescending language.
3. Providing clear and accurate information regarding company policies, especially the hybrid work model.
4. Ensuring technical interviewers have a solid grasp of the foundational concepts they are testing candidates on.
5. My experience left me with serious concerns about the communication style and professional culture of the team.