If I asked you how companies conduct interviews, you might say they give you a whiteboard to write on—and that's often true. However, in some companies, they don’t provide a whiteboard and don’t expect you to write code or detailed solutions. Instead, they give you a blank sheet of paper, and you’re expected to think out loud and jot down key points as you go.
Here’s a breakdown of the process:
1. Initial Phone Screen
The interview process began with a phone screen. This phase was led by the HR team, and it was mostly a culture fit interview. They asked about my background, my previous roles, and why I was interested in joining a startup. They also gave me a high-level overview of the company, the team structure, and the expectations for the role.
Questions:
- Tell me about your experience with [specific technologies from my resume].
- Why are you interested in working with a startup as opposed to a large corporation?
- Describe a time when you handled a high-pressure situation or a tight deadline.
- What excites you most about working on product X? (The company's core product)
This part of the interview felt like a conversation rather than a formal interrogation, and it helped set the tone for the rest of the process.
2. Technical Screening: Coding Challenge
Next, I was given a coding challenge. Startups often value practical skills and efficiency, so they wanted to see my problem-solving abilities firsthand. The challenge was sent via an online platform, and I had two hours to complete it.
Coding Challenge:
- Problem 1: An array-related algorithm where I needed to find pairs that sum up to a target number. It tested my knowledge of data structures, especially arrays and hash maps.
- Problem 2: A string manipulation challenge where I had to reverse the words in a sentence without reversing the letters in each word. This question checked my understanding of string handling and edge cases (e.g., empty strings, punctuation).
I used Python for the challenge, as it allowed me to write concise code and finish the problems within the given timeframe.
3. Technical Interview: Deep Dive into Algorithms and Data Structures
After passing the coding challenge, I was invited to a technical interview where I met with a senior engineer. This round was more rigorous and in-depth. I shared my screen and was given a set of problems to solve live while explaining my thought process.
Questions:
- Binary Search Tree: Can you implement a function that finds the lowest common ancestor of two nodes in a binary search tree?
- Linked List Manipulation: Given a singly linked list, reverse it in place.
- System Design Question: The interviewer also asked me a system design question, which was a bit unexpected. I had to design a real-time chat application. This question tested my ability to design a scalable system and think through user requirements, even on a smaller scale.
System Design Breakdown: For the chat application design, I was asked to consider various aspects:
- User Requirements: Supporting individual and group messaging, message history, read receipts, and handling online/offline statuses.
- Core Components: I needed to describe the architecture, including components like messaging servers, databases for storing messages, and APIs for user management.
- Scalability Considerations: Since chat applications require low latency, I discussed load balancing, message queues, and the use of WebSocket connections for real-time updates.
- Data Storage: I outlined a storage strategy for message history and metadata, considering NoSQL databases due to their scalability and high-write performance.
The technical questions covered essential concepts, and they wanted to see how I could manage complexity, plan for future scaling, and communicate my thought process clearly.
4. Final Round: Culture Fit and Technical Collaboration
The last round was more about assessing how well I would fit with the team and how I approached collaborative projects. I met with two team members who would be my potential colleagues.
Questions:
- Describe a challenging project you’ve worked on and how you overcame the challenges.
- How do you approach code reviews? What would you do if you disagreed with someone’s feedback?
- What strategies do you use to ensure your code is maintainable?
- What are your go-to tools and resources when you’re stuck on a technical problem?
This round felt like a casual conversation, and it was clear that they valued adaptability, empathy, and a positive attitude toward learning and growth. They shared examples of their own work challenges, giving me a better sense of the team dynamics and the startup’s culture.
What I learnt
- Expect a Dynamic Process: Unlike corporate interviews with standardized questions, startups often tailor their process. The emphasis is on adaptability, problem-solving, and cultural fit.
- Brush Up on Core Concepts: Many startups don’t have extensive training resources, so they seek candidates with strong foundations in algorithms, data structures, and systems design.
- Communication is Key: Startups usually have smaller teams, and everyone needs to communicate effectively. Being able to talk through my approach and explain my code made a good impression.
- Show Genuine Interest: Startups value enthusiasm and curiosity about their product and mission. Researching the company and showing interest in their work helps you stand out.
The experience reminded me of the unique challenges and rewards of working in a startup environment. While the questions were technically rigorous, they also gave me a platform to demonstrate problem-solving, adaptability, and collaboration, which are crucial in startup roles.
If you’re preparing for an interview at a startup, my advice would be to focus on fundamentals, be ready for a variety of question types, and don’t forget to showcase who you are beyond just technical skills. Good luck