# Software Engineer I
**Role:** Software Engineer · **Level:** IC1
**Company:** [Compass](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/compass)
**Difficulty:** Medium
**Salary:** US$75000 - US$95000
**Experience:** 0 - 2
**Timeline:** ~7 days
The Software Engineer I (IC1) interview at Compass is designed to assess foundational software engineering skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple rounds focusing on data structures, algorithms, system design basics, and behavioral aspects.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/compass/ic1-software-engineer
---
## Overall evaluation

- Technical Skills
- Communication
- Behavioral Fit

## Questions asked

- Write a function to reverse a linked list.
- Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
- Explain the concept of recursion with an example.
- What is the difference between an abstract class and an interface?
- Describe a time you received constructive criticism. How did you respond?
- How would you design a URL shortening service (high-level)?
- What are the advantages of using a hash map over an array?
- Tell me about a project you are particularly proud of.

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming).
- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on easy and medium difficulty.
- Understand basic object-oriented programming (OOP) principles.
- Familiarize yourself with common software development tools and methodologies (e.g., Git, Agile).
- Prepare to discuss your past projects and experiences in detail.
- Research Compass's mission, values, and recent projects.
- Practice answering behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Data Structures Fundamentals","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice problems involving these structures. Understand time and space complexity analysis (Big O notation).","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Hash Maps) & Big O."}
- {"title":"Algorithm Practice","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Dive into algorithms such as sorting (bubble, merge, quick), searching (binary search), recursion, and basic dynamic programming. Solve problems related to these algorithms.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Recursion, DP) & Problem Solving."}
- {"title":"Programming Paradigms & Design Basics","longDescription":"Week 5: Study Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction) and practice designing simple classes. Review basic system design principles and common architectural patterns.","shortDescription":"Week 5: OOP Concepts & Basic System Design."}
- {"title":"Behavioral Preparation","longDescription":"Week 6: Prepare for behavioral questions. Reflect on past projects, challenges, and teamwork experiences. Practice articulating your thoughts and actions using the STAR method. Research Compass's culture and values.","shortDescription":"Week 6: Behavioral Questions (STAR Method) & Company Research."}
- {"title":"Final Polish","longDescription":"Week 7: Mock interviews, review weak areas, and ensure you are comfortable discussing your resume and projects. Finalize preparation for all interview rounds.","shortDescription":"Week 7: Mock Interviews & Final Review."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote","differences":{"tips":["Be prepared to explain your thought process clearly.","Practice coding on a whiteboard or a simple text editor.","Research common software development practices."],"interviewFocus":["Understanding of core programming concepts.","Ability to write clean and efficient code.","Basic problem-solving skills."],"commonQuestions":["Explain the difference between a process and a thread.","Describe a situation where you had to debug a complex issue. How did you approach it?","What are the advantages of using version control systems like Git?"]}}
- {"location":"On-site (e.g., San Francisco)","differences":{"tips":["Highlight your contributions to team projects.","Be ready to discuss your understanding of the local market trends.","Show enthusiasm for working in a collaborative environment."],"interviewFocus":["Teamwork and collaboration skills.","Adaptability to the local tech ecosystem.","Communication skills."],"commonQuestions":["Tell me about a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame obstacles.","How do you handle disagreements within a team?","Describe your experience with [specific technology relevant to the office, e.g., cloud platforms, specific databases]."]}}

## Round 1: Data Structures and Algorithms Round 1
**Type:** Technical Interview (Coding) · **Difficulty:** Easy · **Duration:** 45 min
Coding challenge focusing on basic data structures and algorithms.
This round focuses on assessing your foundational programming skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving arrays, strings, or linked lists. The interviewer will evaluate your approach to problem-solving, your ability to write clean and efficient code, and your understanding of basic data structures and algorithms. Expect to explain your thought process throughout the coding exercise.
**Interviewers look for:** Ability to translate a problem into code.; Understanding of basic data structures and algorithms.; Clear communication of thought process.; Ability to handle edge cases.
**Evaluation criteria:** Correctness of the solution; Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity); Code readability and style; Problem-solving approach
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to solve basic coding problems.; Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.; Difficulty explaining thought process.; Lack of attention to detail in code.
## Questions

- Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.
- Write a function to check if a string is a palindrome.

## Preparation tips

- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode (Easy/Medium).
- Focus on understanding time and space complexity.
- Be prepared to explain your code line by line.
- Practice thinking out loud.

## Round 2: Data Structures and Algorithms Round 2
**Type:** Technical Interview (Coding) · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 60 min
More complex coding problems, including trees and graphs.
This round delves deeper into your problem-solving abilities. You'll tackle more challenging coding problems that might involve trees, graphs, or dynamic programming. The interviewer will assess your ability to optimize solutions for time and space complexity and your skills in debugging code effectively. Expect to discuss trade-offs between different approaches.
**Interviewers look for:** Proficiency in solving algorithmic problems.; Ability to optimize solutions.; Knowledge of trees, graphs, and dynamic programming.; Systematic approach to debugging.
**Evaluation criteria:** Correctness and efficiency of the solution; Ability to handle complex logic; Understanding of various algorithmic techniques; Debugging skills
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to solve moderately complex coding problems.; Poor optimization of solutions.; Lack of understanding of more advanced algorithms (e.g., trees, graphs, dynamic programming).; Difficulty debugging code.
## Questions

- Implement a binary search tree and its common operations (insertion, deletion, search).
- Given a binary tree, find its maximum depth.

## Preparation tips

- Practice problems involving trees, graphs, and dynamic programming.
- Focus on optimizing your solutions.
- Understand common graph traversal algorithms (BFS, DFS).
- Practice debugging techniques.

## Round 3: System Design Fundamentals
**Type:** System Design Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
High-level system design for a common application.
This round assesses your foundational understanding of system design. You'll be asked to design a simple system or a component of a larger system (e.g., a URL shortener, a basic social media feed). The focus is on your ability to identify requirements, break down the problem, propose a high-level design, and discuss trade-offs. For IC1, the expectations are for basic understanding rather than deep expertise.
**Interviewers look for:** Basic understanding of how to design scalable systems.; Ability to think about trade-offs.; Clear communication of design ideas.; Awareness of common design patterns.
**Evaluation criteria:** Understanding of fundamental system design concepts; Ability to break down a problem into components; Consideration of scalability, reliability, and performance; Clarity of design explanation
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of understanding of basic system design principles.; Inability to discuss trade-offs in design choices.; Poor communication of design ideas.; Not considering scalability or reliability.
## Questions

- Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
- How would you design a simple API for a blog?

## Preparation tips

- Study basic system design concepts (e.g., load balancing, caching, databases).
- Understand trade-offs between different technologies.
- Practice designing simple systems.
- Focus on clarity and logical flow in your explanations.

## Round 4: Behavioral and Cultural Fit
**Type:** Behavioral Interview · **Difficulty:** Easy · **Duration:** 30 min
Assesses behavioral fit, teamwork, and motivation.
This is a behavioral and cultural fit interview. The hiring manager will ask questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, your teamwork abilities, and your career aspirations. They want to understand how you approach work, collaborate with others, and whether you align with Compass's values and culture. Be prepared to share specific examples using the STAR method.
**Interviewers look for:** Good communication and interpersonal skills.; Positive attitude and enthusiasm.; Ability to work in a team.; Alignment with Compass's culture.; Potential for growth.
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication clarity and effectiveness; Teamwork and collaboration potential; Motivation and enthusiasm; Alignment with company values; Self-awareness and learning agility
**Common rejection reasons:** Poor communication skills.; Lack of enthusiasm or interest.; Negative attitude towards past experiences.; Poor cultural fit with the team or company.; Inability to articulate career goals.
## Questions

- Tell me about a time you faced a conflict within a team. How did you resolve it?
- Why are you interested in this role at Compass?
- Describe a challenging project you worked on and what you learned from it.

## Preparation tips

- Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions.
- Research Compass's company culture and values.
- Think about why you want to work at Compass.
- Be ready to ask thoughtful questions about the role and the team.