This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Lead Software Engineering Manager position at Avito. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·8 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Avito research, management frameworks, STAR method practice.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into Avito's business, products, and engineering culture. Review core software engineering principles, agile methodologies, and common management frameworks (e.g., Situational Leadership, OKRs). Prepare STAR method examples for common behavioral questions related to leadership, conflict resolution, and team building.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Technical leadership, system design, scalability, technical debt.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on technical leadership and system design. Review distributed systems concepts, scalability challenges, and architectural patterns. Prepare to discuss how you would guide a team through technical decision-making and problem-solving. Practice articulating your approach to technical debt management and code quality.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: People management, strategy, roadmap, hiring, conflict resolution.
Week 5: Concentrate on people management and strategic thinking. Prepare examples of performance reviews, career development discussions, hiring strategies, and conflict resolution. Think about how you set team goals, manage roadmaps, and align with broader business objectives. Practice articulating your vision for an engineering team.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Mock interviews, final review, question preparation.
Week 6: Mock interviews and final review. Conduct mock interviews focusing on all aspects covered. Refine your answers and ensure clarity and conciseness. Prepare thoughtful 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 · HR Recruiter
This initial screening call with HR aims to assess your overall fit for the role and Avito. They will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company culture and the specifics of the position. Expect questions about your management style, team experience, and why you're interested in Avito.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your experience as a manager.
Why are you interested in Avito and this specific role?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a manager?
How do you handle conflict within a team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical & Leadership Interview · 60 min · Senior Engineering Manager / Director of Engineering
This round focuses on your technical leadership and strategic thinking. You'll be asked to discuss your experience in managing engineering teams, making technical decisions, and driving architectural improvements. Expect questions about system design, scalability, performance optimization, and how you foster technical excellence within a team. You might also be asked to walk through a past project and explain the technical challenges and solutions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a complex system you helped design or manage. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?
How do you balance the need for new feature development with maintaining code quality and addressing technical debt?
What is your approach to mentoring engineers and helping them grow their technical skills?
How do you ensure your team stays up-to-date with relevant technologies and best practices?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management & Strategy Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP of Engineering)
This interview with the hiring manager will delve deeper into your people management skills and strategic thinking. You'll discuss your experience in hiring, performance management, career development, and conflict resolution. The manager will assess how you build and lead teams, foster a positive work environment, and align your team's efforts with the company's overall business goals. Be prepared to share specific examples of your successes and challenges in managing people.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you had to manage an underperforming employee. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?
How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity within your team?
Tell me about a time you had to deliver difficult feedback to a team member. How did you approach it?
How do you prioritize your team's work when faced with competing demands from different stakeholders?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Executive / Senior Leadership Interview · 45 min · Senior Director / VP of Engineering
In this final round, you'll meet with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Engineering) to discuss your strategic vision, leadership approach, and overall fit within Avito's senior management team. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to think at a high level, align with the company's long-term goals, and articulate your vision for the engineering organization. Expect questions about industry trends, organizational design, and your leadership philosophy at scale.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your vision for a high-performing engineering organization at Avito in the next 3-5 years?
How do you approach organizational design and scaling engineering teams?
Describe a time you had to influence senior stakeholders or other departments to adopt a new technical or process change.
What are the biggest challenges facing engineering leaders today, and how do you address them?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Avito loops
Other guides
