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LinkedIn · Software engineer · All levels (IC2 SWE through IC4 Staff)

Recruiter Screen

Conversational and low-pressure

What they actually ask

The question shapes this round uses. Larpy does not read these out. It builds each one from your own resume, because the generic version is the one you have already rehearsed.

  • “Walk me through your background and what you're working on right now.”
  • “Why LinkedIn specifically, and why this team or role now?”
  • “What are you looking for in your next role?”
  • “Tell me about a project you're most proud of and your specific contribution.”
  • “What's your timeline, and are you interviewing elsewhere?”

What this round is judged on

  • Communication · a crisp, coherent career narrative
  • Motivation · a specific, non-generic reason for LinkedIn and this team
  • Level fit · scope and seniority signals that match the target level
  • Logistics/red flags · timeline, compensation range, location alignment

Where this round sits

LinkedIn’s published process. Lime marks the stage this round runs.

  1. 01
    Application
  2. 02
    Conversationthis round
  3. 03
    Interview
  4. 04
    Decision
What happens in each stage›
Application
Recruiting reviews applications against the basic and preferred qualifications on the job description. Not simulated as a live round.
Conversation
A recruiter schedules a call to learn about your background and ask basic questions; often followed by a hiring-manager video call exploring experience, skills, and technical expertise. Simulated as the Recruiter Screen.
Interview
You meet several team members, and per LinkedIn 'each interview will focus on a different skill area.' For SWE this reliably includes coding rounds, system design (experienced hires), and a behavioral/values round. Simulated as the coding, system-design, and behavioral rounds.
Decision
The hiring team assesses fit and potential; LinkedIn notes this stage 'may need several weeks.' Includes team-match. Not simulated.

Sources

Built from what LinkedIn publishes about its own process and from real interview data. No leaked question lists. The questions you get are generated against your own resume, so they are not from anyone else's interview.

  • companyLinkedIn, How We Hirecareers.linkedin.com

    The four official stages (Application, Conversation, Interview, Decision), the 'each interview will focus on a different skill area' language, and the 'fair, inclusive and transparent process for every candidate' priority.

  • companyLinkedIn Talent Solutions, Engineer interview question guidebusiness.linkedin.com

    The official engineer behavioral/technical sample questions, each mapped to a competency and what-to-assess (the closest thing to a published rubric).

  • datalevels.fyi, LinkedIn Software Engineerlevels.fyi

    The IC ladder used for level framing: IC1 Apprentice, IC2 Software Engineer, IC3 Senior, IC4 Staff and above; new grads typically enter at IC2.

  • dataTech Interview Handbook (yangshun, MIT)techinterviewhandbook.org

    Commonly-asked coding patterns and the algorithm practice set used to inform the coding-round problem selection.

Sources last checked . Hiring loops change, so this date is the honest limit on everything above.

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