I applied online. I interviewed at OpenTable in Oct 2025
Interview
I wish I had read the earlier reviews before applying — they would have helped me set the right expectations. Unfortunately, this turned out to be one of the most disappointing interview experiences I’ve had in quite some time.
The initial HR discussion went smoothly, though I agreed to a slightly lower salary than I originally requested.
The first technical interview focused mainly on design-level and behavioral questions. The questions felt rather generic — similar to those commonly seen in Google or Amazon-style interviews. Still, it was a comfortable and open discussion where I could express my views freely and have constructive exchanges.
The next stage was a take-home coding task, requiring the design and implementation along with explanations for the design decisions. The one-week timeframe was a little tight given the scope, but I managed to complete and submit it on time.
What followed, however, was the most disappointing part — a complete breakdown in communication. After submitting the project, I heard nothing for several days. About a week later, the HR representative informed me that the engineers would review it, and later the same day, I received a generic rejection email without any feedback or explanation. A follow-up discussion was offered but never actually took place.
Overall, this reflected a very poor interview process — lacking transparency, timely communication, and respect for candidates’ time and effort.
In many of the earlier reviews here, the company has responded by saying they’re “sorry about the experience” and are “continuously reviewing their interview process.” However, based on what I encountered, it doesn’t appear that any meaningful improvement has been made.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Tell me a time you took ownership of something you worked with and how you delivered with quality in a timely manner.
Moderate level.
Introductory call to know about you and what you know about the revenue model of Opentable(Very important to know this)
2 Technical rounds on SQL and Google Sheets
2 rounds with the Senior Leaders more about testing your interest in the role through various behavioural questions.
The first round focused on LLD, where I was asked to design a variation of a coffee vending machine with add-ons, inventory management, and payment processing. I implemented all the stated requirements within the 60-minute timeframe (though the problem scope realistically warranted 90 minutes). The interview was extended to 90 minutes as the interviewer added HLD questions midway. Despite meeting the initial requirements and handling the extended scope, I was rejected without any feedback. The experience was disappointing due to the interviewer’s unprofessional and dismissive attitude — I would not consider applying to this company again.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
LLD: Design a coffee vending machine with the ability to choose add-ons. Update inventory, handle different payment methods.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re sorry to hear that your interview experience did not meet your expectations. Our goal is to ensure everyone has a fair and respectful experience throughout the process, and we regret that this was not reflected in your interaction.
We appreciate the time and effort you invested in the interview and the detailed feedback about the structure and communication. We’re continuously reviewing our interview practices to ensure consistency, professionalism, and transparency for everyone.
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