Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerL3Medium

The Software Engineer L3 interview at Nextdoor is designed to assess a candidate's foundational software development skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves a mix of technical assessments, behavioral questions, and a discussion about past projects.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~7d

Experience·1 - 3 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$140000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Coding proficiency
  • Understanding of data structures and algorithms
  • System design thinking
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Nextdoor's values

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion).
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on medium-difficulty problems.
  3. Understand core computer science concepts such as operating systems, databases, and networking.
  4. Prepare to discuss your resume in detail, highlighting your accomplishments and technical contributions.
  5. Research Nextdoor's mission, values, and recent news to understand the company culture and product.
  6. Practice answering behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  7. Brush up on system design principles, even for an L3 role, as basic design questions might be asked.
  8. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 03 phases

01 / 03
01

Phase 01 of 03

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms. Practice 2-3 medium problems daily.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, heaps), graphs, and hash tables. Practice common algorithms like sorting (quicksort, mergesort), searching (binary search), and basic graph traversal (BFS, DFS). Aim to solve 2-3 medium problems per day.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • 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 TCP and UDP.
  • How would you design a simple API for a blog?
  • Tell me about a time you made a mistake and how you learned from it.
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Describe a project you are particularly proud of.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

San Francisco Bay Area

Interview focus

Problem-solving and algorithmic thinkingUnderstanding of core computer science conceptsCommunication and collaboration skillsAdaptability to different technical challenges

Common questions

  • How would you design a URL shortener?
  • Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
  • Describe a challenging technical problem you solved and how you approached it.
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate and how you handled it.

Tips

  • Be prepared to whiteboard solutions for coding problems.
  • Clearly articulate your thought process when solving problems.
  • Research Nextdoor's tech stack and recent product launches.
  • Prepare specific examples from your experience to answer behavioral questions.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

DSA

Coding questions at Nextdoor.

Frequently reported on Nextdoor loops

View all at Nextdoor

Other guides

More at Nextdoor.