Everyone was very nice. You start with a very informal interview - I'm quite a bubbly person so I found everyone was really drawn to that. I was just very honest with what I do and I didn't speak too seriously about myself but showed my professionalism and mindfulness in my work. So you start with the Skype (voice) call to basically test you english. It's fairly easy, but good to remember that they are always writing notes and building a file on you so if you could throw in any great details about yourself I think it will be beneficial in the second interview. The second interview consistent of me sharing my screen - again via Skype and doing a walkthrough of my workflow. I was a bit nervous here because I didn't expect this and thus didn't have all the files ready! Yet, they were so so so chill and I think could send my nervousness a little! Then I had to analyze and existing site and pretend the interviewer was a client. He really liked that I was positive during this session. Since they asked me what I would improve on within the site - I think most people only comment on the bad things. Yet, I tried to say what was positive and what was negative. Before the last interview I had to do a design challenge. It was actually super fun and very low stress. I think people can make it stressful if they really work to impress Toptal. I think it you know you are a good designer, just be honest in your process and don't add things or spend over the given time on the design challenge. Presenting the design - I think is what is the make or break. Even with a great process and amazing designs - it's all about the pitch. I was a freelancer before Toptal so I know how to pitch. Yet, if you want to practice anything before your interview - practice pitching! I don't want to spoil the design challenge so I won't tell you what it is but it's quite fun! I can say that much :)

In order to fulfill their unethical "top 3%" acceptance quota, they will ask a list of rules for you to prepare for your second interview. Upon making your presentation, they will reject you during the live recording (so awkward!!), motivating that you did not fulfill some additional new secret rules to complete the interview. This is a logical fallacy called "moving the goal posts" which is an abuse tactic. Please don't feel like you're a failure if this happens to you, it's not your fault and you're most probably a great employee. This is just a way for them to fill in their exclusivity quota that they brag about on their website. This way they steer employees with self-respect and logical awareness away. Not to mention how weird it is that you probably have an employee who inspects thousands of recordings of people reacting to rejections to fulfill this sick quota thing. Yikes!