The P10 interview process for a Software Engineer 1 at Adobe is a comprehensive evaluation designed to assess a candidate's foundational technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. This process typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an initial screening and progressing through technical interviews, a coding challenge, and a final hiring manager discussion.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~14d
Experience·0 - 2 yrs
Comp band·US$75000 - US$95000
Interview time·120 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice 20-30 problems.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, recursion, dynamic programming). Practice implementing these in your preferred language and analyze their time and space complexity. Solve at least 20-30 problems related to these topics.
Phase 02 of 05
Week 3: Object-Oriented Design & Design Patterns.
Week 3: Deep dive into object-oriented design principles (SOLID) and common design patterns. Understand concepts like abstraction, encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism. Work through examples of applying these principles in code.
Phase 03 of 05
Week 4: Behavioral preparation using STAR method. Research Adobe culture.
Week 4: Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on your past experiences. Use the STAR method to structure your answers for common scenarios like teamwork, problem-solving, handling failure, and leadership. Research Adobe's culture and values to tailor your responses.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 5: System Design basics (if applicable). More coding practice.
Week 5: Review system design concepts if applicable to the specific role (though less common for entry-level). Focus on understanding scalability, reliability, and trade-offs. If the role is more junior, this might be a lighter review or skipped in favor of more coding practice.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 6: Mock interviews and final review.
Week 6: Mock interviews with peers or mentors. Focus on simulating the actual interview environment, practicing clear communication, and receiving feedback on both technical and behavioral aspects. Review any areas where you felt weak during practice.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 03 locations
01 / 03Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
HR/Recruiter Screen · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial or final touchpoint with the recruiter or HR representative is to ensure a good overall fit, discuss logistics, and answer any remaining questions the candidate might have. It's a chance to gauge the candidate's motivation, understanding of the role, and alignment with Adobe's culture. They will also cover salary expectations and the next steps in the process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What do you know about Adobe and our products?
Why are you interested in this specific Software Engineer role?
What are your salary expectations?
Do you have any questions for me about Adobe or the hiring process?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview - Coding · 45 min · Software Engineer
This round typically involves a coding challenge, often conducted via a shared online editor. The interviewer will present a problem and expect the candidate to write code to solve it. The focus is on assessing the candidate's ability to translate a problem into a working solution, considering efficiency and correctness. Candidates are encouraged to talk through their approach, ask clarifying questions, and test their code.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to target.
Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree.
Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral And Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager
This interview is typically conducted by the hiring manager for the team. It focuses on behavioral questions, past experiences, and assessing the candidate's fit with the team and Adobe's culture. The manager will delve into the candidate's resume, asking for details about specific projects, roles, and accomplishments. They will also assess motivation, career aspirations, and how the candidate aligns with Adobe's values.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?
Describe the most challenging technical problem you've solved in your previous role.
How do you prioritize your work when faced with multiple competing tasks?
What are your long-term career goals, and how does this role at Adobe fit into them?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Adobe loops
Other guides
