Graduate Scheme

Samsara Application Guide

Samsara graduate and internship hiring in London.. Every stage of the process, the questions Samsara actually asks, and the prep that gets candidates through, in one place.

Practise for Samsara

Freeno card

Start practising on Intervyo. Free tools, scored feedback, no payment.

  • CV Checker, scored against Samsara
  • HireVue practice, AI-scored
  • Live AI mock interviews with Vyo
  • Psychometric tests in real formats
  • Application Tracker
Start practising free
Every interview stage, with AI feedback
Upgrade any time, no commitment

The firm

About Samsara

The business today

Why people apply to Samsara

Beyond the prominent brand recognition of a high-growth Silicon Valley tech firm operating successfully in the UK, candidates are drawn to Samsara by several distinct pull factors:

High-Growth Exposure: Junior employees gain direct exposure to rapid scaling, working on enterprise accounts and core software infrastructure rather than legacy maintenance.

Meritocratic Culture: Advancement and responsibility are heavily tied to individual output and measurable impact rather than tenure alone.

Modern Tech Stack: Engineering and product roles work with modern cloud infrastructure, IoT data streams, and applied machine learning models.

However, candidates must accept certain trade-offs:

Pace and Pressure: Targets and execution expectations are steep, often resulting in high-intensity work environments.

Constant Evolution: Organizational structures and processes can shift rapidly as the company scales, requiring high ambiguity tolerance.

Typical candidates often possess strong academic backgrounds from Russell Group or top-tier global universities, displaying a blend of analytical rigor, commercial drive, and technical capability. Career outcomes 3 to 5 years out frequently include senior individual contributor roles, internal promotions to management, or transitions into top-tier technology firms and high-growth startups.

Divisions inside Samsara's Graduate Scheme

Try it now

Score your CV against Samsara's sift

Samsara talent acquisition screens thousands of CVs per cycle. Most are read in under 30 seconds. The candidates who get to interview have CVs that signal commercial relevance fast, in the format Samsara expects.

What Samsara looks for in a CV

Quantified impact

Numbers in every bullet: deal size, team size, percentage uplift, revenue managed. "Led a team" is filler, "led a 6-person team that delivered £400k of revenue" is a signal.

Named firms and deals

Samsara recruiters skim for brand names they recognise. Name your prior internships, the deals you observed, the clients you worked on. Specifics beat generic descriptions.

Industry-relevant language

Use the vocabulary of the graduate scheme world: DCF, comps, LBO, league tables, deal flow. Generic "analysed data" reads as not-yet-in-the-industry; the right terms read as ready.

Tight, structured layout

One page max. Reverse-chronological. Three to five bullets per role. No long paragraphs, no dense blocks. The skim test decides the read.

Try it on your own CV

Free, no card. We score on the dimensions above and tell you what to fix.

CV Review · Demo

Drop your CV here

PDF, DOCX, or paste below

Free, no card required. Processed by our AI provider to build your report. Stored securely and deleted within 30 days unless you save it to an account. Privacy policy

The application

How Samsara hires

0 stages, real interview questions, the criteria that decide it, and the moves that separate offers from rejections.

The process, stage by stage

    What Samsara asks at each round

    What Samsara looks for

    Academic Rigor

    Strong academic credentials, typically requiring a 2:1 or First-Class degree (or international equivalent), with a preference for analytical, scientific, or business disciplines from reputable institutions.

    Commercial Drive

    Demonstrated hustle, resilience, and a track record of high achievement in extracurricular activities, sports, or prior commercial roles.

    Cultural Alignment

    Alignment with Samsara's operating principles: focus on the customer, adopting a growth mindset, and maintaining extreme ownership.

    The edge: what separates offers from rejections

    Specific moves most applicants skip. None of them need talent, only preparation.

    1. 01CV walkthrough memorized and crisp: Delivers a structured, two-minute narrative highlighting relevant impact and ownership.
    2. 023-4 anchor stories drilled cold: Prepares versatile STAR examples covering ambiguity, conflict, failure, and data-driven decisions.
    3. 03Specific Samsara references: Fluently discusses Connected Operations Cloud, specific hardware units, and regional customer use cases.
    4. 04Quality of the final question round: Asks sharp, insightful questions about engineering challenges, scaling hurdles, or product roadmap priorities.
    5. 05Thank-you note discipline: Sends concise, professional follow-up messages reinforcing alignment within 24 hours.
    6. 06Structured problem decomposition: Lays out a clear framework before writing code, drawing diagrams, or calculating estimates.
    7. 07Active listening: Pauses to absorb interviewer feedback and incorporates hints immediately without friction.
    8. 08Calm composure under stress: Treats curveball questions as collaborative problem-solving exercises rather than adversarial tests.
    9. 09Account One: The Software Engineering Track
    10. 10A UK computer science graduate reported that their live technical round began with a standard system design prompt for handling streaming telemetry data. The candidate started by drawing out components on a shared digital whiteboard, outlining API gateways, ingestion pipelines, and storage layers. Midway through the discussion, the interviewer introduced a new constraint regarding network partitions and intermittent cellular connectivity. The candidate noted that they stumbled initially by trying to force their original design, but quickly recovered by pivoting to a local caching and retry queue pattern. The interviewer pushed further on memory management and backpressure handling. The candidate attributes their success to staying calm, vocalising their thought process when adjusting the design, and actively using the interviewer's hints.

    Prep, stage by stage

    Drill each Samsara round

    Dedicated pages for the rounds Samsara runs. Practise each one on Intervyo.

    Deeper intel

    Inside Samsara

    The deals, the positioning vs peers, the day-to-day, and what has shifted at Samsara in the last year. Everything you need for the "why this firm?" answer.

    Recent deals and mandates

    Major Municipal Deployments

    Large-scale rollouts with major city transport authorities and municipal waste management fleets across North America and Europe.

    Global Logistics Enterprise Contracts

    Multi-million-dollar fleet safety and telematics expansions with multinational shipping and freight corporations.

    How Samsara compares with peers

    Compared to legacy telematics competitors, Samsara offers superior software usability, modern AI integration, and faster product innovation cycles. While compensation and intensity mirror top-tier SaaS firms, Samsara provides unique exposure to the physical operations sector.

    A day in the life of a first-year analyst

    1. Through the dayFor a junior commercial team member (e.g., Sales Development Representative), a typical day involves morning pipeline reviews, high-volume outbound prospecting across target enterprise accounts, conducting initial discovery calls, updating CRM records, and participating in weekly team coaching sessions. Late afternoons are often dedicated to researching upcoming accounts and preparing tailored outreach for the following day.

    What has changed at Samsara

    • Samsara has continued to refine its go-to-market strategy, sharpening its focus on enterprise-grade deployments and expanding its suite of AI-driven safety and workflow automation tools.

    Pay & culture

    Working at Samsara

    What they pay

    Graduate

    Not published by the firm

    Internship

    Paid. Rate not published by the firm

    Perks

    Graduate Base: Competitive market rate for London-based technology firms, generally supplemented by performance-based bonuses or equity options depending on the division.Progression: Structured performance reviews allow for rapid advancement to senior individual contributor or management tracks within 2 to 4 years.
    FirmCompHours / weekExit options

    What working at Samsara is like

    • Hours: High-intensity environment; commercial roles frequently require standard-to-extended hours to meet regional targets, while engineering roles balance sprints with sustainable delivery models.
    • Office vs. Remote: Samsara operates a hybrid working model with an emphasis on regular in-office collaboration at its London hub.
    • Performance Management: Rigorous tracking against key performance indicators (KPIs) with regular feedback loops and formal performance cycles.

    Where Samsara analysts go next

    FAQ

    Samsara application questions

    How hard is it to get into Samsara?

    Selection is competitive, reflecting high interest in tech scale-up careers and rigorous screening standards.

    What grades do I need?

    A 2:1 degree or equivalent is standard, though proven capability and relevant experience heavily influence decisions.

    Does Samsara sponsor visas for graduate hires?

    Visa sponsorship policies vary by role and location; candidates should verify specific eligibility on the official careers portal.

    Can I reapply if I'm rejected?

    Yes, candidates can typically reapply after a cooling-off period of 6 to 12 months.

    How should I schedule my interview slot?

    Choose a time when you are mentally sharpest, ideally avoiding early morning slots if you need time to warm up or late evening slots when fatigue sets in.

    What technology setup is required for video calls?

    Use a reliable broadband connection, a dedicated web browser, a clean webcam feed, and an external microphone or headset to eliminate background noise.

    What is the appropriate dress code for a UK video interview?

    Business-casual attire, such as a tailored blazer, clean button-down shirt, or smart knitwear, aligns with tech sector expectations in London.

    Where should I direct my eye-line during the interview?

    Look directly into your webcam lens when speaking to project direct engagement, and look at the screen when the interviewer is talking.

    What should I do if I am asked a question I do not know?

    Do not guess or panic. State your initial hypothesis, explain what data or missing variable you would need, and talk through how you would find the answer.

    Can I use a notepad during technical or case interviews?

    Yes, keep a blank paper notebook and pen nearby to sketch system diagrams, jot down variables, or structure your thoughts before speaking.

    What happens if I experience technical difficulties during the call?

    Remain calm, use the chat feature if audio fails, or use the recruiter's emergency contact number provided in your invitation email.

    How soon should I log on before the interview starts?

    Log on three to five minutes early to test your camera, microphone, and internet connection without rushing.

    Should I record the interview for my own practice?

    Do not record live interviews without explicit written permission from all participants due to privacy and compliance policies.

    How should I follow up after the live round?

    Send a concise, personalised thank-you note to your recruiter within 24 hours to pass along to your interviewer.

    Are notes permitted on my screen during video calls?

    Avoid reading off hidden notes or digital documents; interviewers can easily detect when eyes are tracking text off-camera.

    What system requirements are needed?

    A stable broadband internet connection, an updated desktop or laptop browser (Chrome or Safari), and a working webcam if proctoring is enabled. Mobile devices are generally not recommended.

    Can I retake the assessment if I fail?

    Candidate reports indicate that retries are strictly prohibited within the same recruitment cycle, usually requiring a cooling-off period of 6 to 12 months.

    How do I request disability accommodations?

    Contact Samsara early careers recruitment support immediately upon receiving your test link to arrange extra time or modified formatting.

    What timezone applies to deadlines?

    Deadlines are strictly enforced in UK local time (GMT/BST). Always verify the exact hour specified in your invitation email.

    What happens if my browser crashes mid-test?

    Immediately log back in using your original link. Most systems save completed answers, but timer countdowns may continue running during disconnection.

    Are calculators allowed?

    Yes, handheld or digital desktop calculators are permitted and essential for numerical reasoning sections.

    Is a webcam or AI proctoring used?

    Depending on the specific role tier, some assessments feature automated proctoring that monitors tab switches and webcam presence.

    Can I pause the test halfway through?

    Individual modules are timed continuously once started; you cannot pause a section once the timer begins.

    Who should I contact for technical errors?

    Reach out directly to the technical support email address provided inside your invitation portal.

    Do all divisions take the same test?

    Technical and commercial roles may experience slightly different weightings or module combinations depending on the core competencies required.

    What technical setup is required?

    A modern computer (PC or Mac) with an updated browser (Chrome or Firefox), a working webcam, a microphone, and an internet connection of at least 5 Mbps.

    What happens if your internet drops mid-recording?

    Candidate reports suggest that if connectivity fails during a recording session, you should immediately contact Samsara early talent recruitment via email, providing screenshots if possible, to request a link reset.

    Are reasonable accommodations available?

    Yes. Candidates requiring adjustments for neurodivergence, visual or hearing impairments, or other medical needs can reach out to the recruitment team prior to opening the link to arrange formal accommodations.

    Does Samsara sponsor international candidates in the UK?

    Candidate reports suggest that Samsara routinely sponsors Skilled Worker visas for qualifying graduate and technical roles in its London office, though specific eligibility depends on the exact job requisition.

    What timezone are deadlines set in?

    All deadlines default to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) / British Summer Time (BST) based on the UK recruitment schedule. Always verify the precise timestamp in your invitation email.

    If you are rejected

    What to do next

    Review feedback where provided, utilize the cooling-off period to build additional technical or commercial experience, and explore roles at adjacent software and technology firms.

    Practise free

    Walk into Samsara prepared

    Practise every stage on Intervyo with AI-scored feedback: HireVue, psychometrics, live mock interviews, and CV. Free to start, no card required.

    Start practising free

    Free tools, upgrade any time

    Intervyo is not affiliated with or endorsed by Samsara. Process details are sourced from past applicants, the firm's published guidance and our own research; verify timings on the firm's official careers site before applying. Last updated 12 August 2026.

    Samsara

    Practise free

    Start free