This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager position at Avito. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$140000 - US$180000
Interview time·195 min
Evaluation
What they measure.
Technical depth and breadth
Problem-solving abilities
System design and architecture understanding
Ability to mentor and develop engineers
Leadership style and effectiveness
Team building and motivation
Conflict resolution
Performance management
Delegation skills
Strategic thinking and vision
Product sense and business acumen
Prioritization and decision-making
Understanding of market trends
Communication clarity and effectiveness
Collaboration and teamwork
Cultural alignment with Avito's values
Adaptability and resilience
Preparation
How to prepare.
Tips
01Thoroughly review your resume and be prepared to discuss specific examples of your accomplishments.
02Understand Avito's mission, values, and recent product developments.
03Research common software engineering management challenges and best practices.
04Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.
05Practice articulating your leadership philosophy and management style.
06Familiarize yourself with common behavioral interview questions and the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04
01
Phase 01 of 04
Company & Self-Assessment
Weeks 1-2: Avito research, resume review, STAR method practice.
Week 1-2: Deep dive into Avito's business, products, and engineering culture. Review your past projects and identify key achievements and learnings relevant to a management role. Prepare STAR method examples for common leadership and behavioral scenarios.
02
Phase 02 of 04
People Management Skills
Weeks 3-4: People management principles, leadership development.
Week 3-4: Focus on people management principles. Study topics like performance reviews, conflict resolution, coaching, delegation, and building high-performing teams. Read relevant books or articles on engineering leadership.
03
Phase 03 of 04
Technical & Strategic Acumen
Weeks 5-6: SDLC, Agile, System Design refresh.
Week 5-6: Refresh your understanding of software development lifecycle, agile methodologies, system design principles, and technical debt management. Be prepared to discuss technical challenges and solutions at a high level.
Week 7: Practice mock interviews, focusing on articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers. Refine your understanding of Avito's strategic goals and how a management role contributes to them.
Questions
Commonly asked.
Tell me about a time you had to manage a difficult stakeholder. How did you handle it?
Describe your approach to hiring and building a high-performing engineering team.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
What are your strategies for managing technical debt and ensuring code quality?
How do you balance delivering on short-term goals with long-term strategic objectives?
Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult decision that impacted your team. What was the outcome?
How do you mentor and develop engineers on your team?
What is your experience with agile methodologies, and how do you adapt them to your team's needs?
How do you handle underperforming team members?
What are your thoughts on the current state of technology in our industry?
How do you stay updated with the latest technological advancements?
Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
Locations
Regional differences.
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02
Location
Remote
Interview focus
Remote team management strategiesCross-time zone collaborationVirtual communication and engagement
Common questions
How do you handle underperforming engineers in a remote setting?
Describe a time you had to manage a conflict between team members in different time zones.
What are your strategies for fostering team cohesion and collaboration remotely?
Tips
Highlight experience with distributed teams and remote work tools.
Be prepared to discuss strategies for maintaining team morale and productivity in a remote environment.
Emphasize your ability to build strong relationships and foster a positive team culture virtually.
Location
Office-based (e.g., Moscow, St. Petersburg)
Interview focus
On-site team dynamicsCross-functional collaborationAgile methodologies and execution
Common questions
How do you manage stakeholder expectations in a fast-paced, on-site environment?
Describe a time you had to resolve a conflict between engineering and other departments.
What are your strategies for driving innovation and execution within an office-based team?
Tips
Showcase your ability to navigate complex organizational structures and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
Provide examples of how you've driven successful projects and delivered results in an office setting.
Emphasize your understanding of agile principles and your experience in fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Rounds
Round-by-round.
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Med
HR Screening · 30 min · HR Recruiter
This initial screening call with an HR Recruiter is 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 and the position. Be prepared to share examples of your leadership experience and why you are interested in this specific opportunity.
What they look for
Enthusiasm and positive attitudeClear and concise communicationAlignment with Avito's culture and valuesGenuine interest in the role
Evaluation
Communication skills
Cultural alignment
Motivation for the role
Understanding of Avito's values
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your career progression.
BehavioralCareer Path
Why are you interested in Avito and this specific role?
MotivationCompany Fit
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
BehavioralSelf-Awareness
What are your salary expectations?
Compensation
Prep for this round
01Research Avito's mission, values, and recent news.
02Prepare to talk about your career journey and why you're looking for a management role.
03Be ready to articulate your understanding of the Software Engineering Manager role.
04Have questions prepared about the company culture, team, and the role itself.
Common rejection reasons
×Lack of clear communication
×Inability to provide specific examples
×Poor cultural fit
×Lack of enthusiasm for the role or company
High
Technical Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Lead
This round focuses on your technical expertise and your ability to lead technical discussions and decisions. You will be asked to discuss your experience with system design, architecture, and problem-solving. Expect questions that probe your understanding of scalability, performance, and maintainability. You might also be asked to whiteboard a solution to a complex technical problem.
What they look for
Strong understanding of software development principlesAbility to design scalable and robust systemsSound judgment in technical decision-makingExperience in leading technical initiatives
Evaluation
Technical leadership capabilities
Problem-solving methodology
System design and architecture knowledge
Ability to guide technical decisions
Sample questions
Design a system for [specific Avito product/feature]. Discuss scalability, availability, and data consistency.
System DesignScalabilityArchitecture
Describe a challenging technical problem you solved as a manager. What was your approach?
Problem SolvingTechnical LeadershipBehavioral
How do you ensure the quality and maintainability of the codebase within your team?
Code QualityBest PracticesTechnical Management
Discuss your experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) and microservices architecture.
Cloud ComputingMicroservicesArchitecture
Prep for this round
01Review fundamental computer science concepts.
02Practice system design problems, focusing on scalability, reliability, and trade-offs.
03Be prepared to discuss your experience with different technologies and architectural patterns.
04Think about how you would guide a team through complex technical challenges.
Common rejection reasons
×Lack of technical depth
×Inability to articulate technical solutions clearly
×Poor problem-solving approach
×Weak system design skills
High
Managerial Interview · 60 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP of Engineering)
In this interview, the Hiring Manager will delve into your people management and leadership capabilities. They will assess your experience in building and managing engineering teams, fostering a positive work environment, and driving team performance. Expect behavioral questions focused on your leadership style, conflict resolution, delegation, and strategic decision-making. You'll also discuss how you align team efforts with broader business goals.
What they look for
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and motivate teamsExperience in performance management and career developmentStrong communication and interpersonal skillsStrategic vision and ability to align team goals with business objectives
Evaluation
People management philosophy
Leadership effectiveness
Team building and development
Conflict resolution skills
Strategic thinking and execution
Sample questions
Describe your leadership style and how you adapt it to different situations.
Leadership StyleBehavioral
How do you foster a culture of psychological safety and inclusivity within your team?
Team CultureInclusivityBehavioral
Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict between team members. What was your approach and the outcome?
Conflict ResolutionTeam ManagementBehavioral
How do you set goals and measure the success of your team?
Performance ManagementGoal SettingStrategy
Describe your process for hiring engineers. What do you look for?
HiringTalent AcquisitionTeam Building
Prep for this round
01Reflect on your leadership experiences and prepare specific examples using the STAR method.
02Think about your philosophy on team building, motivation, and performance management.
03Be ready to discuss how you handle difficult conversations and conflicts within a team.
04Prepare to talk about your strategic thinking and how you translate business goals into team objectives.
Common rejection reasons
×Poor people management skills
×Inability to provide concrete examples of leadership
×Lack of strategic thinking
×Difficulty in handling conflict or difficult conversations
Med
Cross-Functional / Peer Interview · 45 min · Peer Engineering Manager / Director
This round often involves meeting with other Engineering Managers or Directors to assess your ability to collaborate across teams and your alignment with Avito's broader engineering vision. They will likely ask about your experience working with other departments, managing cross-functional projects, and your approach to leadership within a larger organizational context. This is also a good opportunity to ask more in-depth questions about the engineering organization.
What they look for
Alignment with Avito's core valuesAbility to collaborate effectively with peers and stakeholdersA clear vision for the team and its contribution to the companyEnthusiasm and long-term commitment
Evaluation
Cultural alignment
Collaboration and cross-functional interaction
Vision and strategic thinking
Overall fit with the team and organization
Sample questions
How do you collaborate with product managers and other stakeholders?