This interview process is designed to assess candidates for an entry-level Software Engineer position at Notion. It focuses on fundamental programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~7d
Experience·0 - 2 yrs
Comp band·US$85000 - US$110000
Interview time·150 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Hash Maps) & Basic Sorting/Searching Algorithms.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice implementing them and solving problems involving their efficient use. Cover basic sorting algorithms (bubble sort, insertion sort, merge sort, quicksort) and searching algorithms (binary search).
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Data Structures (Trees, Graphs) & Introduction to Recursion/DP.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into more complex data structures such as trees (binary trees, BSTs) and graphs. Learn about graph traversal algorithms (BFS, DFS) and common tree operations. Begin exploring basic dynamic programming concepts and recursion.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) Principles.
Week 5: Focus on object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction) and practice applying them. Review common software development principles and best practices.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Behavioral Questions & Company Research.
Week 6: Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method. Prepare to discuss your projects, motivations, and how you handle challenges. Research Notion's company culture and values.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02Location
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 · 45 min · Software Engineer
This initial technical screening round focuses on assessing fundamental programming skills and problem-solving abilities. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving arrays, strings, or basic data structures. The interviewer will evaluate your approach, code quality, and ability to explain your solution.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Write a function to check if a string is a palindrome.
Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer
This round delves deeper into your understanding of data structures and algorithms. You'll be presented with more challenging problems that may require knowledge of trees, graphs, or dynamic programming. The focus is on your ability to choose the right data structures and algorithms, optimize your solutions, and articulate the reasoning behind your choices.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Find the shortest path in a maze using Breadth-First Search (BFS).
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager
This round focuses on your behavioral competencies and cultural fit. The hiring manager will ask questions about your past experiences, teamwork, problem-solving approaches in non-technical contexts, and your motivations for joining Notion. They will assess how well you align with the company's values and how you would contribute to the team environment.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult teammate. How did you handle it?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?
Why are you interested in Notion?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Notion loops
Other guides
