Expedia

SDE II

Software EngineerKMedium to Hard

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

~14 days

Experience

3 - 7 yrs

Salary Range

US$120000 - US$165000

Total Duration

180 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills and Problem Solving

Problem-solving skills: Ability to break down complex problems, devise efficient solutions, and articulate the thought process.
Technical proficiency: Depth of knowledge in relevant programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and software development principles.
System design: Ability to design scalable, reliable, and maintainable systems, considering trade-offs and best practices.
Collaboration and teamwork: Effectiveness in working with others, communication skills, and ability to contribute positively to a team environment.
Adaptability and learning: Willingness to learn new technologies and adapt to changing requirements.
Cultural fit: Alignment with Expedia's values, such as customer focus, innovation, and integrity.

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

Communication: Clarity and conciseness in explaining technical concepts and ideas.
Behavioral competencies: Demonstrated experience in areas like leadership, conflict resolution, and initiative.
Motivation and passion: Enthusiasm for the role, the company, and the travel industry.

Preparation Tips

1Thoroughly review data structures and algorithms. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and GeeksforGeeks, focusing on medium to hard difficulty.
2Study system design principles. Understand concepts like scalability, availability, reliability, consistency, and common design patterns (e.g., microservices, caching, load balancing).
3Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Reflect on past experiences related to teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and handling challenges.
4Research Expedia's products, services, and recent news. Understand the company's mission and values.
5Familiarize yourself with common technologies used at Expedia, such as Java, Python, C#, JavaScript, AWS, Kubernetes, and various database technologies.
6Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely during technical interviews.
7Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures and Algorithms

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.

2

System Design

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.

3

Behavioral and Company Fit

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.

4

Mock Interviews and Final Preparation

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.

Commonly Asked Questions

Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
Design a system to manage flight bookings for a major airline.
How would you implement a rate limiter for an API?
Describe a situation where you had to deal with ambiguity in requirements.
What are the trade-offs between monolithic and microservices architectures?
Explain the concept of CAP theorem.
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
How do you approach testing your code?
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
What is the difference between a process and a thread?
How would you optimize a slow database query?
Describe your experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure.
Tell me about a challenging project you worked on and your role in it.
How do you handle constructive criticism?
What are your thoughts on continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD)?

Location-Based Differences

Seattle, USA

Interview Focus

Deep dive into distributed systems and microservices architecture.Emphasis on scalability and performance optimization for high-traffic travel platforms.Understanding of cloud-native technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP).Behavioral questions focusing on collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving in a team environment.Case studies related to the travel industry, such as optimizing search results or managing booking systems.

Common Questions

How would you design a system to handle real-time flight status updates for millions of users?

Describe a complex technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

Discuss your experience with distributed systems and microservices.

Explain the trade-offs between different database technologies (SQL vs. NoSQL) for a travel booking platform.

How do you ensure the scalability and reliability of a large-scale application?

Tell me about a time you had to mentor a junior engineer.

What are your thoughts on the latest trends in cloud computing and their application in the travel industry?

Tips

Familiarize yourself with Expedia's technology stack and recent product launches.
Prepare specific examples demonstrating your experience with large-scale systems and cloud technologies.
Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
Research common challenges in the travel tech industry.
Be ready to discuss your contributions to open-source projects if applicable.

London, UK

Interview Focus

Focus on API design and development best practices.Assessment of experience with microservices and containerization.Understanding of data structures and algorithms applied to travel-related problems.Behavioral questions assessing teamwork, communication, and adaptability.Problem-solving scenarios related to optimizing user experience on the Expedia platform.

Common Questions

Design an API for a hotel booking system.

How would you implement a caching strategy for frequently accessed travel data?

Discuss your experience with containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes.

Explain the principles of RESTful API design.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a team member and how you resolved it.

What are your thoughts on agile development methodologies?

How do you approach debugging complex issues in a production environment?

Tips

Review common API design patterns and best practices.
Practice coding problems related to data manipulation and algorithms.
Be prepared to discuss your experience with CI/CD pipelines.
Understand Expedia's business model and how technology supports it.
Highlight any experience with A/B testing and performance monitoring.

Gurugram, India

Interview Focus

Emphasis on data-driven decision making and analytics.Assessment of experience with machine learning and recommendation systems.Understanding of data security and compliance in the travel industry.Behavioral questions focusing on influencing, communication, and self-awareness.System design questions that involve data processing and analysis for travel insights.

Common Questions

How would you design a recommendation engine for personalized travel experiences?

Discuss your experience with data warehousing and business intelligence tools.

Explain the concept of eventual consistency in distributed systems.

How do you handle data privacy and security in a global travel platform?

Tell me about a project where you had to influence stakeholders.

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?

How do you stay updated with new technologies?

Tips

Brush up on data structures, algorithms, and system design principles.
Prepare examples of how you've used data to drive product improvements.
Understand the importance of data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR).
Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how they align with Expedia's goals.
Showcase your ability to work effectively in a diverse and international team.

Process Timeline

1
Data Structures and Algorithms45m
2
Architecture and Scalability60m
3
Behavioral and Cultural Fit45m
4
Final Interview / Offer Discussion30m

Interview Rounds

4-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Data Structures and Algorithms

Coding round to assess fundamental programming skills with data structures and algorithms.

Technical Screening (Coding)Medium
45 minSoftware 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 Interviewers Look For

Strong grasp of fundamental data structures and algorithms.Ability to write clean, efficient, and bug-free code.Clear communication of problem-solving strategy.Attention to detail and consideration of edge cases.

Evaluation Criteria

Correctness of the solution.
Efficiency of the algorithm (time and space complexity).
Code quality and readability.
Ability to explain the approach and justify choices.

Questions Asked

Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.

Data StructuresTreesRecursion

Implement a function to reverse a linked list.

Data StructuresLinked ListsPointers

Find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.

AlgorithmsSortingQuickselect

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or GeeksforGeeks.
2Focus on understanding the time and space complexity of your solutions.
3Write code that is well-structured, readable, and handles edge cases.
4Practice explaining your approach out loud as you code.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process clearly.
Lack of fundamental understanding of data structures and algorithms.
Poor coding practices or inefficient solutions.
Failure to consider edge cases or constraints.
2

Architecture and Scalability

System design round to assess ability to build scalable and reliable software architectures.

System DesignHard
60 minSenior 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 Interviewers Look For

Ability to design complex, large-scale systems.Understanding of distributed systems principles (e.g., consistency, availability, partitioning).Knowledge of various architectural patterns and technologies.Ability to think critically about trade-offs and potential issues.Clear communication of design ideas.

Evaluation Criteria

Scalability of the proposed design.
Reliability and fault tolerance.
Clarity and completeness of the design.
Understanding of trade-offs and justifications for design choices.
Knowledge of relevant technologies and patterns.

Questions Asked

Design a system to handle real-time notifications for a messaging app.

System DesignScalabilityWebSocketsMessage Queues

Design a URL shortening service.

System DesignScalabilityDatabasesHashing

How would you design a system to track flight statuses for millions of users?

System DesignScalabilityReal-timeDistributed Systems

Preparation Tips

1Study system design concepts: load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), message queues, microservices.
2Practice designing common systems like Twitter, Uber, or Netflix.
3Understand trade-offs between different design choices.
4Be prepared to discuss specific technologies and their applications.
5Think about potential bottlenecks and failure points.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to design a scalable and robust system.
Lack of understanding of distributed systems concepts.
Poor consideration of trade-offs and failure scenarios.
Inability to communicate design choices effectively.
3

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

Behavioral round to assess cultural fit, teamwork, and problem-solving in non-technical scenarios.

Behavioral InterviewMedium
45 minHiring 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 Interviewers Look For

Evidence of collaboration and teamwork.Ability to handle conflict and difficult situations.Proactiveness and ownership.Alignment with company culture and values.Clear communication and self-awareness.

Evaluation Criteria

Alignment with Expedia's values.
Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills.
Problem-solving approach in non-technical situations.
Communication and interpersonal skills.
Motivation and career aspirations.

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague.

BehavioralTeamworkConflict Resolution

Describe a project where you took initiative or demonstrated leadership.

BehavioralLeadershipInitiative

Tell me about a time you failed or made a mistake. What did you learn?

BehavioralLearningResilience

How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple competing deadlines?

BehavioralTime ManagementPrioritization

Preparation Tips

1Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions (teamwork, conflict, failure, success, leadership).
2Research Expedia's company values and culture.
3Be honest and authentic in your responses.
4Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.
5Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of self-awareness or inability to provide specific examples.
Poor communication or interpersonal skills.
Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm.
Mismatch with company values or team dynamics.
4

Final Interview / Offer Discussion

Final discussion with HR/Recruiter to cover expectations, culture fit, and offer details.

HR/Recruiter ScreenEasy
30 minRecruiter / 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 Interviewers Look For

Enthusiasm for the role and Expedia.Clear understanding of the role and responsibilities.Alignment on career aspirations and growth opportunities.Professionalism and positive attitude.

Evaluation Criteria

Candidate's interest in the role and company.
Alignment of expectations regarding role, responsibilities, and career growth.
Mutual fit between the candidate and the team/company.
Professionalism and communication during the offer process.

Questions Asked

What are your salary expectations for this role?

CompensationExpectations

Why are you interested in working at Expedia?

MotivationCompany Fit

What are your long-term career goals?

Career GoalsAspiration

Do you have any questions for me about the role or the company?

EngagementCuriosity

Preparation Tips

1Be prepared to discuss your career aspirations and how this role fits into them.
2Have a clear understanding of your salary expectations.
3Ask thoughtful questions about the team, culture, and growth opportunities.
4Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of alignment on career goals or expectations.
Unrealistic salary expectations.
Poor communication during the offer negotiation phase.
Failure to demonstrate enthusiasm for the role.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Expedia

View all
Two SumEASYAdd Two NumbersMEDIUMLongest Substring Without Repeating CharactersMEDIUMRoman to IntegerEASYValid ParenthesesEASYFind the Index of the First Occurrence in a StringEASYTrapping Rain WaterHARDJump Game IIMEDIUMGroup AnagramsMEDIUMMerge IntervalsMEDIUM