I interviewed for a role within their Python stack earlier this year, starting with an HR screening call. We discussed my previous experience, what I look for in a new company, and the usual logistics. After that, I was invited to a full interview loop consisting of three separate rounds. The first technical round was a standard LeetCode session that focused on some of the more frequently asked algorithmic questions. For the second round, HR had suggested I prepare for frameworks like FastAPI, Django, or Flask. However, the interview itself turned out to be another LeetCode-style challenge. I was given a block of boilerplate code and asked to implement specific functions to make it work. The final round was my first-ever system design interview. Looking back, I realize I focused too much on following a rigid pattern; I should have asked more clarifying questions to understand exactly how the interviewers wanted me to approach the problem. While the concepts weren't overly difficult, I hit a few snags and didn't end up passing this last stage. Even though I didn't get the offer, I really want to highlight how great the recruiter was throughout the process. They were incredibly supportive and genuinely seemed to care about my performance and candidate experience. I truly appreciated their encouragement and the effort they put into helping me prepare.