How to get a job at Atlassian
20 real interview questions, insider tips on the hiring process, and what Atlassian actually looks for. Most people read about it. Very few practise for it.
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Your question
“Tell me about yourself and what makes you a strong candidate for this role.”
About Atlassian
Company overview
Atlassian operates a significant office in London supporting product development, customer success, and European operations. The company produces developer tools (Jira, Bitbucket) and team collaboration software used by millions of teams globally.
Atlassian is expanding into operations and security management. The London office contributes to product development and serves European customers and partners.
Inside the company
Culture & values at Atlassian
Atlassian's culture emphasises openness, continuous improvement, and team empowerment. The company values diverse thinking and psychological safety. Teams are given autonomy to innovate and improve products.
Work-life balance is genuine, with flexible arrangements and remote-first policies. Atlassian invests in employee development and celebrates learning and growth.
Why people want to work here
Work on products used by millions of developers and teams worldwide. Atlassian offers competitive compensation, genuine autonomy and ownership, flexible remote-first working, and exposure to developer tools and collaborative software.
What to expect
Working at Atlassian
The working environment at Atlassian reflects the enterprise software sector — structured but dynamic, with a mix of planned project work and responsive tasks. Most roles involve regular collaboration with colleagues across different teams and functions, with clear expectations for deliverables and timelines. Flexible and hybrid working arrangements are increasingly common, and the organisation recognises that different roles require different working patterns.
As a 1,500+-person organisation, Atlassian sits at a size where you can genuinely know people across different departments. Teams tend to be close-knit, and there's a real sense of shared purpose. You'll likely have more visibility with senior leadership than you would at a larger employer, which means your contributions are noticed and your ideas can reach decision-makers more quickly.
The culture at Atlassian shapes how the day feels beyond just the work itself. Colleagues describe the environment as one that values Developer Empathy and Technical Strength. Lunch breaks, team socials, and informal catch-ups are part of the rhythm — Atlassian recognises that building relationships across the organisation is as important as the deliverables themselves. Most employees report that the people are one of the best things about working here, and that the team dynamic makes challenging work feel manageable.
The hiring journey
Atlassian interview process
Atlassian's interview process focuses on technical skills, problem-solving, and cultural fit. Interviews assess coding ability, system design thinking, and collaboration. The company values clear communication and teamwork.
Recruiter Screen
20–30 minutesInitial conversation about background and interest in Atlassian.
Technical Phone Interview
45–60 minutesCoding or system design depending on role. Atlassian expects clean, thoughtful solutions.
On-site / Virtual Interviews (2 rounds)
45–60 minutes eachTechnical interviews and team fit discussion. Assess collaboration and culture alignment.
Manager Round
30–45 minutesConversation with hiring manager about role and team.
2–3 weeks from first contact to offer
Insider tips
Show interest in developer tools and how teams work. Be familiar with Jira or Atlassian products if possible. Emphasise collaboration and communication. Ask about the team's autonomy and how decisions are made.
Your game plan
How to prepare for your Atlassian interview
Atlassian's interview process typically takes 2–3 weeks from first contact to offer. Starting your preparation 4 weeks ahead gives you enough time to research thoroughly, build strong examples, and practise until your answers feel natural rather than rehearsed. Candidates who prepare systematically consistently outperform those who wing it — and interviewers can always tell the difference.
4 weeks before
Research Atlassian thoroughly — read their annual report, recent press coverage, and leadership interviews. Understand their position in technology and any challenges or opportunities they're facing. Follow Atlassian on LinkedIn and note the type of content they share — this reveals what they're proud of and where they're heading. Start reviewing the 4 stages of their interview process so you know exactly what to expect at each step. Identify anyone in your network who works or has worked at Atlassian and reach out for an informal conversation.
3 weeks before
Prepare 8-10 STAR examples from your experience that demonstrate Developer Empathy, Technical Strength, Collaboration. These should be specific, quantified stories you can adapt to different questions — don't just prepare one example per quality, because interviewers often ask follow-ups or probe the same competency from different angles. If you're applying for Software Engineer or Backend Developer role, make sure your examples are directly relevant to that function. Start practising answering questions out loud — silent preparation and written notes aren't enough, because the interview requires you to articulate your thoughts clearly under pressure.
2 weeks before
Do a full mock interview covering Atlassian's typical question types — common, behavioural, and technical. Time your answers (aim for 2-3 minutes per STAR response — shorter feels thin, longer loses the interviewer's attention). Research your interviewers on LinkedIn if you know who they are — understanding their background can help you tailor your examples. Prepare 4-5 thoughtful questions to ask at the end of each stage. Good questions show you've done your research: ask about team challenges, upcoming projects, or how the role contributes to Atlassian's strategy.
Final week
Review and refine your STAR examples — tighten any that felt long or unfocused during practice. Check Atlassian's news and social media for anything published in the last few days (being able to reference something current shows genuine, ongoing interest). Confirm logistics — location, format (video or in-person), dress code, who you're meeting, and how long to allow. Prepare a printed copy of your CV, the job description, and your question list. Plan your route if in-person. The night before, focus on rest rather than last-minute cramming — confidence and composure matter as much as preparation.
Stand out from the crowd
What Atlassian looks for
Developer Empathy
Genuine understanding of developer needs and problems. Atlassian builds for developers; you need to think like one.
Technical Strength
Strong fundamentals in software engineering. Atlassian hires capable engineers who can navigate complexity.
Collaboration
Excellent teamwork and communication. Atlassian emphasises psychological safety and open dialogue.
Ownership
Take responsibility for projects and outcomes. Atlassian gives autonomy and expects ownership.
Continuous Learning
Growth mindset and willingness to develop new skills. Atlassian values learning and improvement.
Get through the door
How to apply to Atlassian
Start by studying Atlassian's careers page and current openings carefully. Tailor your CV to mirror the language they use in job descriptions — technology employers use applicant tracking systems that scan for specific keywords, and generic applications get filtered out before a human sees them. If you're applying for Software Engineer, Backend Developer, Frontend Developer, research what each role involves at Atlassian specifically, not just the job title in general.
If you're early in your career, look for entry-level or junior positions on Atlassian's careers page. Some roles may not be advertised externally, so networking through LinkedIn and industry events can surface opportunities before they're posted publicly. Consider whether Atlassian offers internships or work experience placements as a route in — many enterprise software employers use these as a pipeline for permanent roles.
Before submitting your application, research Atlassian's recent news, strategy, and any public statements from leadership. Mentioning something specific in your cover letter — a recent project, a company initiative, or a strategic direction — signals that you've done your homework and aren't sending the same application to every enterprise software employer. Referrals from current employees significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, so connect with people at Atlassian on LinkedIn and attend any open days or recruitment events they run.
As a smaller organisation, Atlassian values personal connections. Attending industry events where their team members speak or exhibit can be an effective way to build rapport before you apply. In enterprise software specifically, personal recommendations carry significant weight.
Mistakes candidates make
- 1Submitting a generic CV that doesn't reference Atlassian or technology-specific experience — tailored applications are significantly more likely to get past initial screening. Mirror the language from the job description and quantify your achievements.
- 2Failing to research Atlassian's values, recent news, and strategic direction before the interview — interviewers can tell immediately when a candidate hasn't prepared beyond reading the About page on the website.
- 3Not preparing concrete STAR examples that demonstrate Developer Empathy and Technical Strength — Atlassian uses competency-based interviewing, so vague answers like "I'm a team player" without specific situations, actions, and measurable outcomes will score poorly.
- 4Underestimating the preparation timeline — Atlassian's process typically takes 2–3 weeks from first contact to offer, and the best candidates start preparing weeks in advance. Last-minute cramming shows in your answers.
- 5Neglecting to ask thoughtful questions at the end of each interview stage — generic questions like "what's the culture like?" waste your chance to demonstrate genuine curiosity about Atlassian and the specific role.
- 6Applying to multiple roles at Atlassian simultaneously without tailoring each application — recruiters notice this, and it signals that you're not genuinely interested in any specific position.
Real questions asked
Atlassian interview questions
20 questions sourced from real Atlassian candidates. Practise answering them out loud before your interview.
- 1Tell me about your experience as a developer using tools like Jira or Bitbucket.
- 2Describe a project where you had to optimise developer productivity or experience.
- 3How do you approach technical decision-making?
- 4Tell me about a time you had to collaborate effectively in a remote team.
- 5Describe your experience with cloud-based systems.
- 6How do you balance technical excellence with shipping features?
- 7Tell me about a time you had to learn something new quickly.
- 8Describe your approach to code quality and testing.
Your career here
Growth & development at Atlassian
Career progression at Atlassian follows a relatively clear path for most roles. Promotions typically depend on demonstrating increased responsibility, deeper expertise, and leadership capability — whether that's leading teams, managing clients, or driving technical innovation. The organisation values both specialist depth and the ability to take on broader management responsibilities, so there are usually multiple progression routes available. Don't assume you need to move into management to advance — many enterprise software organisations increasingly recognise and reward technical and specialist career paths.
Atlassian invests in structured learning and development programmes, including access to training courses, conferences, and professional certifications. Many employees report that the L&D budget is generous and genuinely encouraged — not just a line in the benefits package that nobody actually uses. Whether it's technical upskilling, leadership development, or industry certifications, there's real support for continuous learning. While formal mentoring programmes may vary across departments, the culture generally encourages learning from more experienced colleagues. Building relationships with senior team members is one of the most effective ways to accelerate your development — seek out people whose career trajectory you admire and ask them for advice regularly.
For technology professionals, Atlassian offers exposure to projects and challenges that build a strong CV whether you stay long-term or move on after a few years. The skills and experience you gain — particularly around Developer Empathy and Technical Strength — are transferable across the enterprise software sector and beyond. Internal mobility is possible for strong performers, with opportunities to move between teams, departments, or even locations as your career develops. Many senior leaders at Atlassian started in entry-level or early-career positions, which speaks to the genuine career development opportunities available.
Compensation
Salary & benefits at Atlassian
Atlassian UK salaries are competitive. Engineers typically earn £85,000–£125,000 base salary, with annual bonuses (15–20%) and equity. Total packages are strong and comparable to Big Tech.
Notable benefits
Roles they hire for
Popular roles at Atlassian
Frequently asked questions
How remote-first is Atlassian really?
Very. Atlassian pivoted to remote-first post-COVID and maintains that approach. Teams are distributed globally, and London-based employees can work fully remote if preferred. Office space exists but is optional.
What's it like working on products used by millions of developers?
Rewarding. You'll see your impact directly through user feedback and adoption metrics. There's pressure to maintain product quality, but also satisfaction from building tools developers depend on.
How much of the work is maintaining vs. building new features?
Mix of both. Atlassian maintains mature products with millions of users while building new features and products. Balance varies by team.
What's Atlassian's vision for the future?
Expanding into operations and security management, maintaining developer tools leadership, and becoming essential across team workflows. The company is investing in AI and automation.
How are promotions handled?
Merit-based and regular for strong performers. Atlassian promotes from within and encourages growth. Timeline is typically 18–24 months for advancement.
Can I work fully remote as a new hire?
Yes, though some teams prefer initial in-person onboarding if possible. Discuss with your hiring manager. Most teams support full remote work after onboarding.
Similar companies
Your Atlassian interview is coming.
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Practise with real Atlassian questions, get scored across 6 competencies, and walk in confident you can perform under pressure.
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