I applied via LinkedIn DM and was invited to their hiring process, which was structured as a one-day hackathon. The idea of using a hackathon for hiring was quite innovative, but the execution could have been much better. The event was quite chaotic overall. It was supposed to start at 10:00 AM, and we were asked to arrive by 9:30 AM, but it didn’t begin until around 11:00 AM because the VP and hiring committee arrived late. Around 45 candidates were waiting during this time. All 45+ candidates were divided into groups of five and moved into separate meeting rooms. In Round 1 (bug hunt), each candidate received a different set of questions to solve without internet access. In Round 2, we had to choose one of four system design problems and come up with the full design along with machine coding for each component. AI tools like Cursor were allowed and even encouraged. Throughout the hackathon, multiple managers, HRs, TAs, and engineers kept coming into the room, each adding new requirements, questioning the design, and interrupting the flow frequently. This made it difficult to focus and work in a structured way. The VP did not come across as very approachable and made some jokes that felt a bit insensitive. There also seemed to be a strong emphasis on cost-cutting and reducing team size. The event went on until 7:00 PM due to poor time management and basic internet connectivity issues. Lunch, tea, and snacks were provided. Overall, the experience felt quite stressful and somewhat disorganized, despite the hiring concept being interesting.