Frequently Asked Questions

We offer three Data Structures & Algorithms Interview Preparation Packages — Genesis (LeetCode easy), Atlas (medium), and Horizon (hard) — and a Core Mentorship & Job Application Package, currently available only to graduates of Atlas or Horizon. Everything is designed mostly for backend and full-stack software engineers, but ML, frontend, and mobile developers are also welcome.

Preparation packages include:

• Proprietary week-by-week curriculum with interview problems categorized by the most popular topics
• Learning management system
• Weekly check-ins with a group coach (Genesis) or a group mentor from a top tech company (Atlas, Horizon)
• Unlimited mock interviews with peers at your skill level (Atlas, Horizon)
• Coding mocks & exams with mentors from big tech companies (Atlas, Horizon)
• A global supportive community of hundreds of software engineers on Slack

The Core Mentorship & Job Application Package includes:

• Weekly group check-ins with a group mentor from a big tech company
• Distributed systems design curriculum, educational content, and seminars
• Personalized behavioral interview coaching
• Resume template, guidelines & feedback
• Access to InterviewWatch and Offers — our databases of 1000+ interviews and 200+ offer details
• 3 months of job application support: referrals to up to 100 top tech companies, a one-off 1-1 session with a big tech mentor, and salary negotiation support

Outtalent founder Tilek explains what the program looks like in this short video. Here are the main pillars:

• Algorithms: the preparation packages (Genesis, Atlas, Horizon) cover theory and practice through a week-by-week curriculum of curated interview problems, peer-to-peer mocks, and coding mocks & exams with mentors from big tech companies. Graduating a package unlocks the next level.
• System Design: part of the Core Mentorship & Job Application Package — a distributed systems design curriculum, educational content, and seminars with mentors.
• Behavioral Preparation: personalized behavioral interview coaching, including story preparation and communication skills.
• Job Application: after graduating from Atlas or Horizon, you get 3 months of job application support — referrals to up to 100 top tech companies, weekly group check-ins and a one-off 1-1 session with a big tech mentor, access to our interview and offers databases, and salary negotiation support.
• Community & Ongoing Support: we maintain a supportive environment through weekly group meetings, all-hands, and alumni talks.

Outtalent is fully online.

Outtalent is community-oriented — we believe this is a big part of our success.

When new fellows join, they are placed in a group of around 8–10 people (the “batch”). Together, they join weekly group meetings to share progress, ask questions, and support each other. Fellows also get access to their batch's Slack channel to exchange resources, discuss problems, and stay accountable.

Fellows do not have a single assigned mentor, but they interact with mentors through the community, Slack, 1:1 mentor sessions, mock interviews, and seminars.

The program covers the most important topics needed for working at big tech companies. The preparation packages focus on algorithms & data structures; the Core Mentorship & Job Application Package adds system design, behavioral preparation, resume support, and job applications.

Coding (Algorithms & Data Structures) prep — Genesis, Atlas, Horizon:

• Week-by-week curriculum with relevant interview problems categorized by the most popular interview topics
• Guides, written materials, and videos on algorithms & data structures topics
• Relevant LeetCode difficulty level: easy (Genesis), medium (Atlas), hard (Horizon)
• Unlimited mock interviews with peers at your skill level (Atlas, Horizon)
• Coding mocks & exams with mentors from big tech companies (Atlas, Horizon)

System Design interview prep — Core Mentorship & Job Application Package:

• Distributed systems design curriculum
• Educational content
• Seminars with mentors

Behavioral interview prep — Core Mentorship & Job Application Package:

• Personalized behavioral interview coaching
• Story preparation and communication skills

Resume, Application Strategy & Referrals — Core Mentorship & Job Application Package:

• Resume template, guidelines & feedback
• Referrals to up to 100 top tech companies
• Support with recruiter communication and salary negotiation

Around 8–10 people per batch. Usually they are backend software engineers with 2 to 8 years of experience.

It depends on the package. Genesis and Atlas take 1–2 months, depending on when you pass the graduation criteria; Horizon takes 1 month. Graduating a package gives you access to the next level.

The Core Mentorship & Job Application Package includes 3 months of job application support, with a free extension available if you meet certain activity requirements.

We start new batches regularly throughout the year — typically every other month. Apply to talk to our representative and find out when the next one starts.

It depends on your availability. We usually recommend spending around 15 hours per week, but you can choose less or more.

Yes. The majority of our fellows combine full-time jobs and studies with the program.

Most of our resources are recorded, and in addition we run live meetings throughout the program.

All fellows are expected to be available from 5:30 to 7:30 pm (London time) every day throughout the program — but that doesn't mean we have sessions every day.

If you're temporarily unable to commit to the program and need a break, let us know — we can discuss it individually depending on your situation.

We do not recommend changing or quitting your job while participating in Outtalent, for several reasons:

• Workload: the program is extensive. Starting a new job might require extra effort in the first few months, and combining it with Outtalent can be too time-consuming.
• Resume signal: we'll have to include your current or last employment, and some recruiters may flag a recent experience shorter than 1 year.
• Interview questions: you might face extra questions about why you're already looking again, adding stress and potential red flags.

Since spring 2026, our application process has been simpler:

1. Click Apply to Join and fill out the application form — about 2 minutes to complete.
2. A call with an Outtalent representative to learn about your situation and to address most of your questions.
3. A call with an Outtalent founder or mentor — to understand your technical experience, hear you explain complex concepts simply, and answer the rest of your questions.
4. If there is a match, you'll receive our contract for review along with a payment link. Once you're ready, ping us via email and pay — we'll sign the contract and start your onboarding.

Typical questions in the technical call include:

• What's a tech stack you're comfortable with?
• What is your experience with relational and non-relational databases?
• What is an engineering accomplishment you're most proud of, and why?

We'll also ask you to explain some of the more complex technologies or engineering projects in a simple way.

An Income Share Agreement (ISA) is our success-based pricing option (Option A) for the Core Mentorship & Job Application Package. You pay $2,900 upfront and a success fee of 10% of your monthly base salary for 24 months — activated only if your base salary grows by 50% or more within 2 years. If it doesn't, you owe nothing beyond the upfront fee. This keeps our incentives aligned — we succeed when you succeed.

It doesn't matter whether the new role is full-time or a contractor position. Availability of the ISA option is decided by Outtalent on a case-by-case basis.

The first payment should be completed within 2 days after signing the contract.

Preparation packages are billed monthly for as long as you're enrolled — typically 1–2 months, depending on when you pass the graduation criteria. The Core Mentorship & Job Application Package is paid upfront: either the $2,900 base fee (Option A) or the $10,000 one-time fee (Option B). Under Option A, the success fee is paid monthly for 24 months once it's activated.

Preparation packages are a monthly fee: $500/month for Genesis, $900/month for Atlas or Horizon.

The Core Mentorship & Job Application Package has two pricing options that offer the same service:

• Option A — success-based: $2,900 + a success fee of 10% of your monthly base salary × 24 months, activated only if your base salary grows by 50% or more within 2 years. Offered case by case, subject to approval.
• Option B — one-time fee: $10,000, no success fee.

Example for Option A: your new base salary is $120,000/year ($10,000/month), at least 1.5× your previous base — the success fee is $1,000 × 24 months = $24,000, paid over 2 years.

Under Option A, the success fee is activated only if your base salary grows by 50% or more within 2 years. If that doesn't happen — whether you don't land a new role or it doesn't reach the threshold — you have no success-fee obligations; only the $2,900 base fee applies. Under Option B there are no payments after the one-time fee.

There are two scenarios:

• Option A (success fee): the fee is a share of your monthly base salary, so it applies while you're earning. If you lose your job, let us know — Outtalent will support you in looking for a new one, and the exact terms for pausing payments are set out in your contract.
• Option B (one-time fee): as with any other service or product, the one-time payment settles the contract and both parties are excused from further obligations. Outtalent is not legally obliged to return the money.

Most graduates keep in touch after graduation. You'll keep access to our online community, our knowledge base, and some of our software. You may also be invited to events with alumni, new fellows, and other community members.