Updated by Stripe candidates
Engineering Manager Interview Experience
What stuck with me was how fast it got into management judgment, like straight up asking if I'd actually managed a low performer and what makes someone staff in my eyes.
Interview process
I did the EM loop at Stripe about two weeks before this call. I had a hiring manager screen first, then separate rounds for strategy and execution, people and org, and culture. The whole thing felt pretty rigorous. The strategy and execution round was really about how I get things done. The culture round was more about my past experience and my personal goals.
- Phone interview
- Other
- Final round
Interview rounds
3 questions across 4 roundsPhone interview
Overview
I started with what sounded like a hiring manager screening round that set up the rest of the loop.
Question types asked
Other (1)
Overview
Then I had a strategy and execution interview that was more about how I actually get things done.
Question types asked
Other (2)
2 questionsOverview
The people and org round went into management details, like team culture, getting the most out of people, and how I handle tougher people calls.
Question types asked
Specific questions asked
Final round
1 questionOverview
There was also a culture interview that was more about my past experience and my personal goals.
Question types asked
Specific questions asked
Can you talk through your past experience and your personal goals?
Interview tips
I'd prep real management stories, not just principles. They asked about low performers, so I'd have a concrete example ready there. I'd also be ready to talk through how I shape team culture, how I get the most out of different people, and what criteria I use for hiring and building a team.
Company culture
Stripe felt very data-centered to me. They also seemed big on communication. Another thing that came through was setting really clear expectations for ICs.
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More Stripe interview experiences
“The process was more rigorous than anything I’d done at other big tech companies, but the recruiter was actually accurate and helpful on what to prepare. A few things caught me off guard: one round had the level of details and requirements for scalability.”
“In my case, I felt very well-prepared. I had done three mock interviews before Stripe and walked into the process confident in my readiness. However, the actual experience varied drastically depending on the engagement level of the interviewers. During the Execution and Strategy interview, one panelist had their video off the entire time, and the main interviewer never once made eye contact; his camera was angled at his forehead while he typed throughout. He rushed through questions without engaging meaningfully with my answers, and the lack of interaction made it extremely difficult to build any rapport or demonstrate depth. In contrast, the management round, held 45 minutes later, was far more conversational and created space for a thoughtful exchange. That difference matters. I did not make it through the process, and while I’m open to having fallen short on some answers, I also believe that interviewers have a responsibility to create an environment where candidates can do their best work. Unfortunately, that wasn’t consistently the case here. It’s disappointing to receive a rejection without any feedback, especially after investing so much time and energy. Interviews should be designed to bring out the best in candidates. I hope this note is taken seriously and helps improve the process for others.”
See all 3 Stripe Engineering Manager interview experiences →
