This interview process is designed to assess the fundamental skills and potential of graduate candidates for a Software Engineer role at Canonical. It focuses on core computer science principles, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~14d
Experience·0 - 2 yrs
Comp band·US$60000 - US$75000
Interview time·150 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Trees, Graphs, Hash Maps).
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash maps) and their common operations and time complexities. Practice implementing them and solving problems involving them.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Graph Traversal, DP).
Weeks 3-4: Dive into algorithms, including sorting (bubble, merge, quick), searching (binary search), graph traversal (BFS, DFS), dynamic programming, and greedy algorithms. Understand their applications and efficiency.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: CS Fundamentals (OS, Networking, Databases).
Week 5: Brush up on fundamental computer science concepts such as operating system principles (processes, threads, memory management), basic networking concepts (TCP/IP, HTTP), and database fundamentals (SQL basics).
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Behavioral Prep & Company Research.
Week 6: Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on your academic and personal experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Research Canonical's culture and values.
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.
Technical Interview · 45 min · Software Engineer
This initial technical round focuses on assessing your foundational programming skills and problem-solving abilities. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving arrays, strings, or basic data structures. The interviewer will evaluate your approach, the efficiency of your solution, and your ability to communicate your thought process clearly.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.
Implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Deep Dive · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer
This round delves deeper into your understanding of computer science fundamentals. Expect questions on operating systems (processes, threads, memory management), basic networking, and potentially introductory system design concepts. You might also be asked to debug a piece of code or discuss trade-offs in different approaches.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Explain the difference between a process and a thread. When would you use one over the other?
Describe how you would debug a web application that is experiencing slow response times.
What is a deadlock and how can it be prevented?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead
This interview focuses on your behavioral aspects and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, your teamwork abilities, and your motivations for joining Canonical. The interviewer wants to understand how you think, how you collaborate, and if you align with Canonical's values.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a teammate and how you resolved it.
What are your career aspirations for the next 3-5 years?
Why are you interested in Canonical and this specific role?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Canonical loops
Other guides
