I have got an offer and here is my interview experience:
Phone:
- something like, finding K contineous sum
- Valid Word Abbreviation
onsite:
Round 1:
- Given an integer array, Return the k-th largest element in the array.
- Given 2 array with costs between 2 cities(a -> b and b-> a), return the min round trip cost between 2 cities.
Round 2:
- Given a 2D metrix with 0 and 1, where 0 is open path and 1 is obstacle, find shortest path between top left point to bottom right point.
- Binary tree with parent, given 2 nodes, find LCA.
Round 3 (Design):
Design backend system for latest trending hashtags from fb status
Discuss with interviewer and find out their expection and based on that drive the discussion. for me my interviewer was not interested in back of the envelope estimation. I discussed multiple ways to design, gave pros-cons for them. Also try to explain in details, like I used reddis sorted set, so I also explained what is sorted set and how it is implemented in reddis and how it is used.
Round 4:
Normal behavioral questions
-
I would strongly advice to spend time on behavioral interview if you are targeting senior position. Prepare all stories before the interview and do mock interview. make sure stories are from your past experience.
-
Behavioral and system design interviews are very important for leveling.
-
For system design, I prepared from Alex Xu books, plus few other online sources and few youtube channels
https://systemdesign.one/leaderboard-system-design/#traffic
https://www.hellointerview.com/learn/system-design/answer-keys/ticketmaster -
For coding, talk through all possible solution and suggest which one you would implement and why.
-
When you practice DSA, practive with stop watch.