I applied to Toptal several times before finally getting through screening. Here's what happened at each stage, including the setbacks I faced and what I learned.
Note: This article describes my personal experience applying. Toptal's screening process and eligibility requirements can change, so check its official screening overview for the latest information.
My First Two Applications
I first applied to Toptal during my university years. I didn't know much about the platform then. A recruiter scheduled an interview, but I soon realized I hadn't yet completed the B.Sc. degree they expected at the time. I emailed the recruiter to explain that I was still a student and hadn't graduated.
The recruiter replied professionally, explaining that I wasn't eligible yet but that they'd be happy to interview me once I completed my degree.
I applied again about a year after graduating. This time, they rejected my profile immediately, with no reason given, just a note to reapply after six months. Frustrated, I emailed them asking why. They explained that I didn't have enough experience and that they required at least 2 years (though I'm not sure if that's still the case). At least that gave me some clarity and direction.
The Language and Personality Interview
Six months later, I applied again and finally made it to the first round, the language and personality test.
The format was conversational: an interviewer assessed whether my communication skills met Toptal's standards. I was a little nervous since I didn't have much experience speaking English with others at the time, even though I was confident in the language itself.
Alhamdulillah, I passed.
The Online Coding Assessment
The second round was the online coding round. I was given a link to an online assessment with two to three problems to solve within 90 minutes, as far as I remember.
Alhamdulillah, I worked through them quickly, and the difficulty felt manageable.
Passing this round qualified me for the live coding interview.
The Live Coding Interview
At the start of the session, the interviewer asked about my experience. When I mentioned I had about 1.5 years of experience, he told me I'd need to wait another 6 months to continue, since Toptal required at least 2 years. It was a bit disheartening, but I understood.
Six months later, I returned for the live coding round. This time, I had to solve two problems in real time with an interviewer, under a strict time limit. My competitive programming background helped a lot, and Alhamdulillah, I solved them without much trouble. The difficulty was moderate.
The Project Build Round
The final stage was the project build round. I was given a project to build from scratch within one week. This was the round I was most anxious about. I didn't have much software development experience then. But it turned out to be a genuinely enriching challenge. I learned a great deal, and Alhamdulillah, by the grace of Allah, I completed it successfully.
My Overall Experience
Looking back, my competitive programming background helped me most during the live coding round, while the project build gave me a different kind of challenge. It let me apply my development skills to a project rather than focus on individual problems.
Applying multiple times was frustrating, but each attempt helped me understand where I stood and what I needed to work on.
Overall, the experience was solid. Every interviewer and the email support team were professional, patient, and helpful throughout. It remains one of the best interview experiences I've had.