Nielsen is seeking a talented Software Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining innovative software solutions that drive our business forward. We are looking for individuals with a strong technical background, problem-solving skills, and a passion for technology.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$90000 - US$120000
Interview time·180 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) fundamentals. Practice implementation and complexity analysis.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Review Big O notation for time and space complexity analysis.
Phase 02 of 04
Week 3: System Design principles, scalability, and architectural patterns.
Week 3: Deep dive into system design concepts. Understand principles of scalability, reliability, and availability. Study common design patterns and architectural styles (e.g., microservices, monolithic). Prepare to discuss trade-offs.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 4: Behavioral questions preparation (STAR method) and company research.
Week 4: Prepare for behavioral questions. Reflect on your past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Focus on examples that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. Also, research Nielsen's company culture and values.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 5: Technology-specific review and practice.
Week 5: Review specific technologies mentioned in the job description (e.g., specific programming languages, frameworks, databases, cloud platforms). Practice coding exercises related to these technologies. Prepare to discuss your experience with them.
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.
HR Screening · 30 min · HR Representative / Recruiter
This initial screening call with HR is to understand your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying to Nielsen. They will also discuss salary expectations and logistics. It's an opportunity for you to learn more about the company culture and the role from an HR perspective.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Why are you interested in this role at Nielsen?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview - Coding · 45 min · Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer
This round focuses on assessing your core programming skills and your ability to solve algorithmic problems. You will be asked to write code to solve specific challenges, often involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your approach, the efficiency of your solution, and your ability to communicate your thought process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
Find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview - System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round evaluates your ability to design and architect software systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design Twitter's feed, design a URL shortener) and expected to discuss various aspects like data modeling, API design, scalability, and fault tolerance. The focus is on your thought process and ability to handle ambiguity.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Instagram.
How would you design a rate limiter?
Design a distributed cache.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Senior Team Member
This round focuses on your past experiences and how you've handled various situations. You'll be asked behavioral questions designed to understand your work style, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is highly recommended for answering these questions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge at work and how you overcame it.
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult colleague. How did you handle it?
Give an example of a time you took initiative to improve a process.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Nielsen loops
Other guides
