I applied online. I interviewed at Sereact GmbH (Stuttgart) in Apr 2026
Interview
After just under two months, I finally received a response to my application—they were interested and wanted to move forward with the process. So far, so good. However, I was immediately asked to complete a coding task within 7 days. This wasn’t just some small exercise, but the implementation of a 3D object detection model, including a training pipeline—in other words, a fairly extensive project.
I worked on it intensively and did thorough research. In the process, I came across a Medium article (from April 2025) that covered the same task. I implemented the task on a comparable scale. However, on the very same day I submitted the solution, I received an immediate rejection.
What I find truly problematic about this is the way applicants are treated here. Two months of radio silence, then a complex task with a tight deadline—followed by an immediate rejection without any discernible feedback or serious consideration of the work submitted.
Personally, I actually found the project exciting and enjoyed working on it. This makes it all the more baffling to me that so much initial effort is expected from applicants, while the company itself shows little willingness to take even the most basic steps—such as an initial introductory interview. At that point, I didn’t know exactly what the role entailed, what projects I would be working on, or what the company culture was like. That could easily have been clarified beforehand.
On top of that, there was confusion regarding the role itself: I applied as an Imitation Learning Researcher, but in the response, I was addressed as an Imitation Learning Engineer. To me, those are two distinctly different roles. This either suggests that the positions aren’t clearly defined internally—or that applicants are simply being shuffled into other roles without transparent communication beforehand.
The bottom line is that this process shows quite clearly what’s going wrong here: poor communication, a lack of transparency, and no respect for the time and effort of the applicants. It’s simply unacceptable to demand extensive work from candidates without offering even a minimum of structure and appreciation in return. Frankly, this kind of treatment is an outrage.
I applied online. I interviewed at Sereact GmbH in Jul 2025
Interview
HR Screening: Focused on background, experience, and organizational fit.
Technical Interview: Assessed core technical competencies and problem-solving skills.
Design Task: A challenging assignment requiring a strong understanding of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles.
Final On-Site Interview: Conducted with the Team Lead and Automation Expert, focusing on role-specific expertise and practical application
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
There were no specific questions; the discussion primarily focused on Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles and a fundamental understanding of component design.
Ich habe mich auf eine Software-Engineer-Position beworben und mehrere Runden im Bewerbungsprozess durchlaufen (Take-Home Assignment, Interviews, Challenge/Probearbeitstag und ein geplantes Gespräch mit dem Gründer). Inhaltlich waren die Gespräche teilweise interessant und die Mitarbeiter persönlich freundlich.
Der organisatorische Ablauf des Recruiting-Prozesses war jedoch sehr chaotisch und für Bewerber schwer planbar. Mehrere Termine, insbesondere das Gespräch mit dem Gründer, wurden kurzfristig verschoben oder abgesagt. Der ursprünglich geplante Austausch im Rahmen des Probearbeitstags fand nicht statt, weil der Termin kurzfristig ausfiel. Danach wurde ein neuer Termin etwa zwei Wochen später angesetzt, der erneut kurzfristig verschoben wurde.
Am Ende fand das Gespräch erst nach mehreren Terminänderungen an einem Samstag statt, da unter der Woche offenbar keine Zeit verfügbar war. Insgesamt entstand dadurch der Eindruck, dass Termine im Bewerbungsprozess nicht zuverlässig eingehalten werden und Kandidaten sich sehr flexibel nach kurzfristigen Änderungen richten müssen.
Gerade nach einem Probearbeitstag und mehreren Interviewrunden hätte ich mir einen strukturierteren Ablauf und verlässlichere Kommunikation gewünscht. Für Bewerber bedeutet ein solcher Prozess schließlich einen erheblichen Zeit- und Vorbereitungsaufwand.
Positiv hervorheben möchte ich, dass die einzelnen Gesprächspartner persönlich freundlich waren und die fachlichen Themen interessant wirkten. Der organisatorische Teil des Recruiting-Prozesses wirkte jedoch deutlich unstrukturierter als erwartet.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was the project in your career where you had the most ownership?