This interview process is for an Advisory Engineer (Band 8) role at IBM, focusing on assessing advanced technical skills, problem-solving abilities, leadership potential, and strategic thinking. The process is designed to identify candidates who can not only contribute technically but also influence technical direction and mentor other engineers.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~21d
Experience·8 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$140000 - US$180000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals and practice (LeetCode Medium/Hard).
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Review common structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, focusing on medium to hard difficulty. Understand time and space complexity analysis.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and practice.
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into System Design. Study concepts like scalability, availability, consistency, load balancing, caching, database design (SQL vs. NoSQL), microservices architecture, and distributed systems. Practice designing common systems (e.g., Twitter feed, URL shortener, e-commerce platform).
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Behavioral questions (STAR method) and leadership examples.
Week 5: Behavioral and Leadership Preparation. Reflect on past experiences and prepare stories using the STAR method for common behavioral questions related to teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, and problem-solving. Understand how to demonstrate leadership and mentorship.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: IBM research, role alignment, and question preparation.
Week 6: Company Research and Role Alignment. Research IBM's current business strategy, recent technological advancements, and the specific team/product you are interviewing for. Understand how your skills and experience align with the Advisory Engineer role and Band 8 expectations. Prepare questions for the interviewers.
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 · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer or Technical Lead
This initial technical screening round focuses on assessing your fundamental computer science knowledge and problem-solving skills. You will be asked questions related to data structures, algorithms, and potentially some basic system design concepts. The interviewer will evaluate your ability to think through problems logically and communicate your thought process effectively.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Implement a function to find the k-th largest element in an unsorted array.
Design a basic URL shortening service.
Explain the difference between processes and threads.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design · 60 min · Senior Architect or Principal Engineer
This round is dedicated to system design. You will be presented with a high-level problem and asked to design a scalable, reliable, and maintainable system. The focus is on your ability to break down complex problems, identify key components, consider trade-offs, and articulate your design choices clearly. Expect questions about databases, caching, load balancing, APIs, and distributed system patterns.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Twitter's news feed.
How would you design a distributed key-value store?
Design an API rate limiter.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral And Leadership · 45 min · Engineering Manager or Director
This round assesses your leadership potential, teamwork, and how you handle challenging interpersonal situations. You'll be asked behavioral questions about your experience leading projects, mentoring junior engineers, resolving conflicts, and influencing others. The interviewer wants to understand your ability to contribute to the team's success beyond just technical skills.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you had to lead a team through a difficult technical challenge.
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague or manager. How did you handle it?
How do you mentor junior engineers?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial/Hiring Manager · 45 min · Hiring Manager or Senior Leader
In this final round, the hiring manager or a senior leader will assess your overall fit for the role and the company. They will focus on your strategic thinking, business acumen, and how your career goals align with IBM's direction. This is also an opportunity for you to ask in-depth questions about the team, projects, and company culture. Expect questions that probe your understanding of the industry and your long-term vision.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Where do you see the technology landscape heading in the next 5 years, and how can IBM capitalize on these trends?
How would you prioritize technical initiatives to maximize business impact?
What are your long-term career aspirations, and how does this Advisory Engineer role fit into them?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on IBM loops
Other guides
