YOE: 1.8
Position: SDE1 at Amazon
Location: Seattle
Date: Oct 1, 2021
Online Assessment
OA 1 - Two Algorithmic questions
- Minimum cost to connect sticks
- Amazon Prime Air Route
The second one was hard and I only got 17/40 test cases passed, both were outside of the OA list.
OA 2 - Workstyle simulation
Technical Phone Screen
One coding question, I don't remember the exact question but it was custom made. Explained the time and space complexities.
Virtual Onsite (4 rounds)
These were back to back rounds with an hour break after two rounds.
Round 1:
- Two interviewers, one was supposed to be shadowing, but took active part. First interviewer asked me 3 LP(Leadership principles) based questions for about 25 mins.
- Then the second interviewer asked a medium-hard coding question. I hadn't seen this question before or anything close to that on Leetcode, it was structured poorly and took me 10-15 mins to even understand the question after clarifying requirements. I tried to solve it using Sliding Window algorithm and was heading in the right direction as per the interviewer but could not finish it on time. I felt like the coding part didn't went well but I did good in LP.
Round 2:
This was a hiring manager round and they grilled me for one hour purely on Leadership principles. Went really deep into the stories. I had to improvise some of my answers. No coding questions. It was a great conversation.
Round 3:
- The interviewer appeared to be a SDE2, with another shadow interviewer present. 2-3 LP questions followed by coding.
- Coding question - Medium Tree traversal question. I solved it using DFS, then they asked to explain the BFS approach and one follow up question. Asked me to dry run my code and explain the time and space complexities. After that I asked them some questions. I nailed this round and finished early. Boosted my confidence.
Round 4:
- Interviewer was a manager from a different org. About 30 mins of LP questions. Again, they went deep into the stories. Seemed little unsatisfied with one of my answers but they were friendly and we had a good laugh.
- After that they moved on to the coding part with about 30 mins left. It was a bizzare medium string manipulation question that I hadn't seen before. But, I coded it, explained the algorithm for the followup question and discussed the tradeoffs with Time and Space complexities.
Some LP questions that I remember from the interview:
- Tell me about a time you did something outside of your area of responsibilities.
- Tell me about yourself briefly.
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake.
- Tell me about a time you had a conflict with your teammate.
- Tell me about a time you had to make a hard decision.
- Tell me about a time you had an unrealistic deadline and how you managed to achieve it.
- Describe the most challenging project you’ve worked on.
- What is the most difficult decision you ever took in software?
- Tell me about a time when you faced ambiguity.
Overall I did well in 3/4 rounds. I was unsatisfied with my performance in coding part of 1st round.
I was suprised they didn't ask me any Object Oriented Design question.
Received the results within 3 business days and offer within 10 days.
Preparation and Tips
I have been practicing on Leetcode for a while now and did about 400 questions in total. I was super prepared for System Design and OO design but unfortunately didn't got asked.
I used Leetcode primarily for practising DS & Algo, also read CTCI book and watched numerous youtube videos.
Some takeaways upon self reflection:
- For DS & Algo, try to recognize the patterns. Even you don't have a working solution in an interview, always communicate with the interviewer throughout the coding and try to prove them that your approach and algorithm is right. Always dry run your code and explain the time and space complexities.
- For Behavioral questions, write down stories from your Work/College experience, structure them in a STAR format and see which Leadership principles fit. Interviewers will dive deep into these stories, especially Amazon. Always remember that you should be the one driving your story and if need arises then Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.
- Quality matters not quantity. After reaching 300 mark, I was still struggling with brand new questions, so I created a second session in Leetcode and solved them again. Buy a Leetcode premium, its worth it. Rinse & Repeat
- If you are a working professional then try to do atleast 2 medium questions on weekdays and then read one Sytem design or OO design. This will keep your skills brushed up and you won't get burnt out. Remember, its all about Discipline, Consistency & Patience.
- NEVER QUIT, keep going and one day it will all be worth it, I promise. I am an average person and If I can do it, so can you.
Always focus on the input and forget about the outcome. The only thing in your hand is your Perseverance and Hardwork, luck also plays a vital role in my opinion, I was lucky but worked hard.
Reach out if you have any questions, I would be happy to help! :)
All the Best!!