The Software Engineer II interview process at Avalara is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an HR screening, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and system design, and concluding with a managerial interview to evaluate leadership potential and team collaboration skills.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$110000 - US$140000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Basic Algorithms. Practice implementations and problem-solving.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash tables) and their common operations. Practice implementing these structures and solving problems related to them. Cover basic algorithms like sorting (quicksort, mergesort), searching (binary search), and recursion.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms & Intro to System Design. Focus on optimization and basic design patterns.
Weeks 3-4: Dive deeper into algorithms, including dynamic programming, graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra's), and string manipulation. Work on problems that require optimizing time and space complexity. Start exploring common system design concepts like API design, database choices, and caching strategies.
Phase 03 of 04
Weeks 5-6: System Design & Behavioral Prep. Practice designing systems and structuring behavioral answers.
Weeks 5-6: Concentrate on system design. Study topics such as distributed systems, microservices architecture, load balancing, message queues, database scaling, and CAP theorem. Practice designing scalable systems for common applications (e.g., URL shortener, social media feed). Simultaneously, prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method, reflecting on past experiences.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 7: Mock Interviews & Final Review. Practice and refine answers.
Week 7: Mock interviews, both technical and behavioral. Refine answers, identify weak areas, and practice articulating your thought process clearly. Review company-specific information and prepare insightful questions for the interviewers.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
HR Screening · 45 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with a recruiter aims to understand your background, career aspirations, and basic qualifications for the role. They will also provide an overview of Avalara and the interview process. Be prepared to discuss your resume and why you are interested in this specific position.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in Avalara?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Describe your experience with [specific technology mentioned on resume].
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview (Data Structures & Algorithms) · 60 min · Software Engineer
This technical interview focuses on your ability to solve coding challenges. You will be asked to write code, typically in a shared editor, to solve problems related to data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your problem-solving approach, coding style, and understanding of complexity.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, invert the tree.
Find the first non-repeating character in a string.
Implement a function to check if a linked list has a cycle.
Given two sorted arrays, merge them into a single sorted array.
Find the median of two sorted arrays.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview (System Design) · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round evaluates your ability to design scalable and robust software systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design Twitter's news feed, design a URL shortener) and expected to discuss various aspects of the system, including data storage, APIs, scalability, and potential bottlenecks.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
Design the Twitter feed.
How would you design a rate limiter?
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website.
Design an API for a ride-sharing service.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager
This interview with the hiring manager focuses on your behavioral aspects, leadership potential, and how you would fit into the team and company culture. Expect questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, your career goals, and your understanding of teamwork and collaboration.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member and how you resolved it.
Describe a project you are particularly proud of and your role in it.
How do you handle constructive criticism?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
How do you prioritize your work when faced with multiple tasks?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Avalara loops
Other guides
