This interview process is for a Software Engineer (L3) position at DRW. It is designed to assess a candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$90000 - US$130000
Interview time·135 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Basic Algorithms
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 basic algorithms like sorting (quicksort, mergesort) and searching (binary search).
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms
Weeks 3-4: Dive deeper into algorithmic techniques such as dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, and graph traversal (BFS, DFS). Practice problems that require these techniques.
Phase 03 of 05
Week 5: System Design Basics
Week 5: Focus on system design principles. Understand concepts like scalability, availability, load balancing, caching, and database design. Practice designing common systems like a URL shortener or a Twitter feed.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 6: Behavioral Preparation
Week 6: Prepare for behavioral questions. Reflect on your past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Think about examples that demonstrate teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and handling challenges.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 7: Resume Review & Questions
Week 7: Review your resume and be ready to discuss any project or experience listed. Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture.
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 (Coding) · 45 min · Software Engineer
This round focuses on your fundamental programming skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your ability to write clean, efficient, and correct code, as well as your approach to problem-solving and your communication during the process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a string, find the length of the longest substring without repeating characters.
Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round assesses your ability to design and build scalable and reliable software systems. You will be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, design a social media feed) and expected to discuss various aspects of the system, including data storage, APIs, caching strategies, and potential bottlenecks. The focus is on your thought process and ability to make informed design decisions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like TinyURL.
How would you design a rate limiter?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 30 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead
This round is focused on understanding your personality, work style, and how you would fit into the team and company culture. You'll be asked behavioral questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, and your motivations. The interviewer will also assess your communication skills and enthusiasm for the role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you faced a significant technical challenge and how you overcame it.
How do you handle constructive criticism?
Why DRW?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on DRW loops
Other guides
