Expedia's Software Engineer (SDE II - K Level) interview process is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, system design skills, and cultural fit within the company. The process typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an initial screening and progressing through technical and behavioral assessments.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·3 - 7 yrs
Comp band·US$120000 - US$165000
Interview time·180 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals and practice (Arrays, Lists, Trees, Graphs, Sorting, Searching, DP).
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables, sorting, searching, and dynamic programming. Solve at least 5-10 problems per topic. Aim for a solid understanding of time and space complexity.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and practice (Scalability, Caching, Databases, APIs).
Weeks 3-4: Dive into System Design. Study concepts like load balancing, caching, databases (SQL/NoSQL), message queues, API design, and distributed systems. Work through common system design interview questions and practice designing systems like Twitter feed, URL shortener, or ride-sharing apps.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Behavioral questions (STAR method) and company research.
Week 5: Prepare for Behavioral and Situational Questions. Reflect on your past projects and experiences. Use the STAR method to structure your answers for questions about teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and handling failure. Research Expedia's values and prepare examples that align with them.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Mock interviews, feedback, and final review.
Week 6: Mock Interviews and Review. Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors to simulate the actual interview environment. Focus on communication, problem-solving approach, and time management. Review weak areas identified during practice and mock interviews.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 03 locations
01 / 03Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Technical Screening (Coding) · 45 min · Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer
This round focuses on assessing your core programming skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your ability to understand the problem, devise an efficient solution, write clean code, and explain your thought process. Expect questions that test your knowledge of arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps, sorting, and searching.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
Find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round evaluates your ability to design scalable, reliable, and maintainable software systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a social media feed, a ride-sharing service, or a booking system) and expected to propose a system architecture. This includes defining APIs, choosing databases, designing data models, considering caching strategies, and addressing scalability and availability concerns.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system to handle real-time notifications for a messaging app.
Design a URL shortening service.
How would you design a system to track flight statuses for millions of users?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Senior Team Member
This round focuses on your behavioral competencies and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle specific situations, and your motivations. The interviewer aims to understand how you work in a team, your leadership potential, how you approach challenges, and whether you align with Expedia's core values. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide specific and impactful answers.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague.
Describe a project where you took initiative or demonstrated leadership.
Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake. What did you learn?
How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple competing deadlines?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
HR/Recruiter Screen · 30 min · Recruiter / HR Business Partner
This is typically the final stage, conducted by a recruiter or HR representative. They will discuss your overall experience, career goals, and expectations. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any remaining questions about the role, team, company culture, benefits, and compensation. The focus is on ensuring a mutual fit and discussing the offer details.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What are your salary expectations for this role?
Why are you interested in working at Expedia?
What are your long-term career goals?
Do you have any questions for me about the role or the company?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Expedia loops
Other guides
