I applied through an employee referral. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at ElevenLabs in Dec 2024
Interview
After employee referral the recruiter called me, ask about motivation, experience, classical jazz overall. Then he told me I had to pass technical test (CoderPad / Codility], then 2 tech interviews, then interview with Founder.
I've tried to pass CoderPad twice -> both times I failed on 3rd algo problem -> Grid and Leaves problem. First time I got 30% score, second time - 50%. Both times recruiter emailed me and said "Unfortunately your submission did not meet the requirements we have established for this role at this time".
I asked for detailed feedback what "requirements" and "criteria" to pass and got nothing meaningful in response after 1st failed attempt. At least recruiter allowed me to take another shot at this exercise.
I asked again about detailed feedback and "pass" criteria. Lets see what happens..
Overall negative feeling. Also zero questions asked about Client facing experience. It should be important for this role perhaps? Or they don't care? Who knows
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Three Python problems, first is super easy, second is medium complexity, third is MOST CONFUSING EVEN as CRITERIA SUCK
Thank you for the precise account. Asking for specific "pass criteria" and getting nothing meaningful is concrete - and not asking about client-facing experience for an FDE role is its own flag. Please reach out if you would like to talk this through directly.
Thank you for taking the time.
ElevenLabs Talent Team
Other Forward Deployed Engineer Interview Reviews for ElevenLabs
Screening then directly tech interview. The first interview was a classic fit call, the second a case with code to solve a certain problem for a client. The FDE team on the second call wasn't very nice.
1
ElevenLabs response
2mo
Thank you for sharing this. We are sorry the second interview did not feel the way it should have. Candidate experience is something we take seriously. If you would like to share more about your experience directly, we would value it.
Thank you for taking the time to write this.
ElevenLabs Talent Team
Unprofessionalism at its peak. I applied in December 2025, and got an email from the recruiter late December that they had completed their headcount for the year. So will reach back in the 1st week of Jan. Feb has started, I have followed up like 5-6 times to the team, no response. Nothing.
I would recommend not applying there. For a company that boasts that they have one of the most brutal interview processes, this is peak unprofessionalism. It screams that they don't value a culture of communication. Even if you clear interviews there, my experience would tell you that there is a high probability they would ghost you, so don't even bother to join it.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Didn't get to the interview stage. I kept waiting for their response.
Thank you for the specific account. The follow-up not happening after the December commitment is not the experience we want any applicant to have - the silence after a stated next step is concrete and fair to flag. If you would be open to a confidential conversation about your specific situation, we would value it.
Thank you for taking the time.
ElevenLabs Talent Team
I applied through an employee referral. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at ElevenLabs (Madrid) in Jul 2025
Interview
First I had coding challenge. 3 exercises, the first 2 were easy, last one was hard and didn't pass all tests.
Then technical interview. The exercise was to design a permission system. I solved it but with a little help and they said they were expecting more autonomy.
Thank you for the self-aware account. Naming where you leaned on help and what the autonomy bar looked like is honest reflection.
Thank you for taking the time.
ElevenLabs Talent Team