Grammarly

Software Engineer

Software EngineerL1Medium

Grammarly's Software Engineer L1 interview process is designed to assess foundational technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an HR screening, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and coding proficiency, and concluding with a behavioral or managerial interview.

Rounds

2

Timeline

~7 days

Experience

0 - 2 yrs

Salary Range

US$75000 - US$95000

Total Duration

75 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Problem-solving approach
Coding proficiency and clarity
Understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms
Ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code
Debugging skills
Communication of thought process

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

Collaboration and teamwork
Communication clarity and effectiveness
Adaptability and willingness to learn
Proactiveness and initiative
Alignment with Grammarly's values (e.g., empathy, clarity, impact)

Potential & Growth

Understanding of software development lifecycle
Ability to articulate technical concepts
Potential for growth within the company

Preparation Tips

1Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, graph traversal, dynamic programming).
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on easy and medium difficulty.
3Understand time and space complexity (Big O notation).
4Brush up on core programming concepts in your preferred language (e.g., object-oriented programming, functional programming paradigms).
5Prepare to discuss your past projects, highlighting your contributions and the challenges you faced.
6Research Grammarly's products, mission, and values to understand how your skills and aspirations align.
7Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Trees, Hash Maps).

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, AVL trees), heaps, and hash tables. Understand their operations, time/space complexity, and common use cases. Practice implementing them and solving problems related to them.

2

Algorithms

Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Graphs, DP basics).

Weeks 3-4: Focus on Algorithms. Cover sorting algorithms (bubble sort, merge sort, quicksort), searching algorithms (binary search), graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra's), and basic dynamic programming concepts. Understand their time and space complexity and when to apply them. Practice solving problems using these algorithms.

3

Coding Practice

Week 5: Coding Practice & Complexity Analysis.

Week 5: Coding Practice & Complexity Analysis. Dedicate this week to solving a variety of coding problems that integrate data structures and algorithms. Focus on writing clean, efficient, and well-commented code. Practice analyzing the time and space complexity of your solutions.

4

Behavioral & Project Review

Week 6: Behavioral Prep & Project Review.

Week 6: Behavioral Preparation & Project Review. Prepare to discuss your past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Review your resume and be ready to talk in detail about your projects, challenges, and learnings. Research Grammarly's values and prepare questions.

Commonly Asked Questions

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 difference between a stack and a queue.
How would you find the shortest path in a graph?
Describe a time you received constructive criticism and how you responded.
What interests you about working at Grammarly?
How do you stay updated with new technologies?
Tell me about a time you had to debug a difficult problem.

Location-Based Differences

Remote

Interview Focus

Adaptability to remote collaboration tools and practices.Communication skills in a distributed team environment.Self-motivation and ability to work independently.

Common Questions

Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.

How do you approach debugging a complex issue?

Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.

Tips

Ensure a stable internet connection and a quiet environment.
Be prepared to share your screen and use online collaboration tools.
Highlight your experience with asynchronous communication.

On-site (e.g., Kyiv, USA)

Interview Focus

Collaboration and teamwork within an office setting.Understanding of agile development principles.Contribution to team dynamics and problem-solving.

Common Questions

What are your thoughts on pair programming?

How do you handle disagreements within a team?

Describe your experience with agile methodologies.

Tips

Be ready to discuss your experiences working in a physical office.
Emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues.
Showcase your understanding of team-based workflows.

Process Timeline

1
Technical Coding Round45m
2
HR & Behavioral Round30m

Interview Rounds

2-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Technical Coding Round

Coding challenge focused on data structures and algorithms.

Technical Interview (Coding)Medium
45 minSoftware Engineer

This round is a technical coding interview focused on assessing your ability to solve problems using data structures and algorithms. You will be asked to write code, typically in a shared editor or whiteboard, to solve one or two algorithmic problems. The interviewer will evaluate your approach, your understanding of the underlying concepts, and the efficiency and correctness of your solution. They will also be looking at how you communicate your thought process as you work through the problem.

What Interviewers Look For

Logical thinkingAbility to translate requirements into codeUnderstanding of Big O notationClean and readable codeEffective communication of solutions

Evaluation Criteria

Problem-solving approach
Coding proficiency
Understanding of data structures and algorithms
Code clarity and efficiency
Communication of thought process

Questions Asked

Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.

ArrayHash TableTwo Pointers

Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree (BST).

TreeRecursionBinary Search Tree

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode.
2Focus on explaining your thought process out loud.
3Be prepared to discuss time and space complexity.
4Ask clarifying questions if the problem statement is unclear.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process clearly.
Fundamental misunderstanding of data structures or algorithms.
Code that is inefficient, buggy, or not well-structured.
Poor communication skills.
2

HR & Behavioral Round

Assesses cultural fit, motivation, and past experiences.

Behavioral / HR InterviewEasy
30 minHR Recruiter or Hiring Manager

This round is typically conducted by an HR representative or the hiring manager. It focuses on your background, motivations, and how well you would fit into Grammarly's culture. You'll be asked behavioral questions about your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the role, team, and company.

What Interviewers Look For

Enthusiasm for the role and company.Ability to articulate past experiences clearly.Good communication and interpersonal skills.Alignment with Grammarly's values.Potential for growth

Evaluation Criteria

Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving approach in past projects
Cultural fit
Motivation and interest in Grammarly

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge in a project and how you overcame it.

BehavioralProblem Solving

Why are you interested in working at Grammarly?

MotivationCompany Fit

Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member.

BehavioralTeamwork

Preparation Tips

1Prepare answers to common behavioral questions using the STAR method.
2Research Grammarly's mission, values, and products.
3Think about why you are interested in this specific role and company.
4Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of clarity in explaining past experiences.
Inability to provide specific examples.
Poor alignment with company values.
Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Grammarly

View all
Generate ParenthesesMEDIUMSearch in Rotated Sorted ArrayMEDIUMTrapping Rain WaterHARDMerge IntervalsMEDIUMUnique PathsMEDIUMSqrt(x)EASYClimbing StairsEASYWord SearchMEDIUMClone GraphMEDIUMWord BreakMEDIUM