Notion

Software Engineer

Software EngineerL2Medium

The Software Engineer L2 interview process at Notion is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an initial HR screening, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and system design, and concluding with a behavioral and managerial interview.

Rounds

4

Timeline

~7 days

Experience

2 - 5 yrs

Salary Range

US$110000 - US$150000

Total Duration

180 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Problem-solving approach
Algorithmic thinking
Code quality and efficiency
Understanding of data structures

System Design

System design principles
Scalability considerations
Trade-off analysis
Understanding of distributed systems

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

Communication clarity
Collaboration skills
Adaptability
Learning agility

Motivation and Alignment

Alignment with Notion's values
Motivation for the role
Career aspirations

Preparation Tips

1Brush up on fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
2Practice coding problems, focusing on explaining your thought process aloud.
3Review system design concepts, including databases, caching, load balancing, and message queues.
4Prepare examples for behavioral questions using the STAR method.
5Research Notion's products, mission, and values to understand how your skills and experience align.
6Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures and Algorithms

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

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

2

System Design

Weeks 3-4: System Design concepts. Study databases, caching, load balancing. Practice designing systems.

Weeks 3-4: Dive into system design. Study concepts like API design, database choices (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching strategies, load balancing, message queues, and microservices architecture. Read case studies of popular systems and practice designing common applications like Twitter's feed or a URL shortener.

3

Behavioral and Managerial Preparation

Week 5: Behavioral preparation. Use STAR method for common questions. Align with Notion's values.

Week 5: Prepare for behavioral and managerial rounds. Reflect on past experiences and prepare specific examples using the STAR method for questions related to teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, and handling failure. Understand Notion's values and how you embody them.

4

Mock Interviews and Final Review

Week 6: Mock interviews and review weak areas. Prepare questions for interviewers.

Week 6: Mock interviews and review. Conduct mock interviews for both technical and behavioral aspects. Review any weak areas identified during practice. Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewers.

Commonly Asked Questions

Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in Notion?
Describe a challenging project you worked on.
How do you approach debugging a complex issue?
Design a system for [specific problem, e.g., a real-time notification service].
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
How do you stay updated with new technologies?
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
What are your career goals?

Location-Based Differences

San Francisco

Interview Focus

System DesignScalabilityDistributed Systems

Common Questions

How would you design a URL shortener service?

Explain the CAP theorem and its implications for distributed systems.

Describe a challenging technical problem you solved and how you approached it.

Tips

Be prepared to discuss trade-offs in system design choices.
Understand common distributed system patterns.
Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly.

New York

Interview Focus

Data StructuresAlgorithmsCoding Proficiency

Common Questions

Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.

Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.

How would you reverse a linked list in place?

Tips

Review common data structures and their time/space complexities.
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode.
Be ready to explain your thought process and justify your solutions.

Remote

Interview Focus

TeamworkCommunicationProblem-solving in a team context

Common Questions

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder.

Describe a situation where you disagreed with your team's technical direction.

How do you handle constructive criticism?

Tips

Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Highlight collaboration and communication skills.
Showcase your ability to learn from feedback.

Process Timeline

1
Coding Challenge45m
2
System Design60m
3
Behavioral and Situational Interview45m
4
Hiring Manager Discussion30m

Interview Rounds

4-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Coding Challenge

Solve 1-2 coding problems focusing on data structures and algorithms.

Technical Interview - CodingMedium
45 minSoftware Engineer

This round focuses on your core programming skills. You will be asked to solve 1-2 coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your ability to understand the problem, devise an efficient solution, write clean and correct code, and explain your reasoning. Expect questions on arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, graphs, and common algorithms like sorting and searching.

What Interviewers Look For

Clear and logical approach to problem-solvingCorrect implementation of algorithmsEfficient and clean codeAbility to explain trade-offs

Evaluation Criteria

Problem-solving skills
Algorithmic knowledge
Coding proficiency
Communication of thought process

Questions Asked

Given a binary tree, invert the tree.

Data StructuresTreesRecursion

Find the first non-repeating character in a string.

StringsHash MapsTime Complexity

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
2Focus on understanding time and space complexity.
3Be prepared to write code on a whiteboard or shared editor.
4Practice explaining your solution step-by-step.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process
Poor understanding of fundamental algorithms
Inefficient or incorrect code
2

System Design

Design a scalable system for a given problem, discussing components and trade-offs.

Technical Interview - System DesignHard
60 minSenior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager

This round assesses your ability to design complex systems. You'll be given an open-ended problem (e.g., design Twitter's feed, a URL shortener, or a rate limiter) and expected to design a high-level solution. This involves discussing requirements, identifying components, choosing appropriate technologies, and considering scalability, reliability, and performance. You should be prepared to justify your design decisions and discuss trade-offs.

What Interviewers Look For

Ability to design scalable and reliable systemsKnowledge of various system components (databases, caches, load balancers)Clear communication of design choices and trade-offsUnderstanding of distributed system concepts

Evaluation Criteria

System design approach
Scalability and performance considerations
Database knowledge
Trade-off analysis
Understanding of distributed systems

Questions Asked

Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.

System DesignScalabilityDatabasesAPIs

Design a system to count unique visitors to a website.

System DesignBig DataCountingScalability

Preparation Tips

1Study common system design patterns and architectures.
2Understand databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching, load balancing, and message queues.
3Practice designing various systems and articulating your thought process.
4Be ready to discuss trade-offs between different approaches.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of understanding of system design principles
Inability to handle scale or performance requirements
Poor consideration of trade-offs
3

Behavioral and Situational Interview

Discuss past experiences and how you handle workplace situations using the STAR method.

Behavioral InterviewMedium
45 minHiring Manager / Senior Team Member

This round focuses on your past experiences and how you handle various workplace situations. You'll be asked behavioral questions designed to understand your teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and leadership potential. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide specific, concise examples from your career.

What Interviewers Look For

Evidence of collaboration and teamworkAbility to handle conflict and feedback constructivelyClear and concise communicationAlignment with Notion's values and cultureSelf-awareness and learning from experiences

Evaluation Criteria

Behavioral competencies
Teamwork and collaboration
Communication skills
Problem-solving in a team context
Cultural fit

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a colleague and how you resolved it.

BehavioralConflict ResolutionTeamwork

Describe a project where you had to work under a tight deadline.

BehavioralTime ManagementPressure

Preparation Tips

1Prepare examples for common behavioral questions using the STAR method.
2Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals.
3Understand Notion's company values and how you align with them.
4Be ready to discuss your motivations for applying.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Poor communication skills
Lack of collaboration or teamwork
Inability to provide specific examples
Mismatch with company culture or values
4

Hiring Manager Discussion

Discuss career goals, motivation, and fit with the hiring manager.

Managerial InterviewMedium
30 minHiring Manager

This final round is typically with the hiring manager. It's an opportunity for the manager to assess your overall fit with the team and company culture, understand your career aspirations, and answer any remaining questions you might have. They will also gauge your enthusiasm for the role and Notion.

What Interviewers Look For

Genuine interest in Notion's mission and productsClear understanding of the role and responsibilitiesPositive attitude and collaborative spiritPotential to grow within the company

Evaluation Criteria

Motivation and enthusiasm
Alignment with team and company goals
Potential for growth
Cultural alignment

Questions Asked

What are your long-term career goals?

Career GoalsMotivation

Why do you want to work at Notion specifically?

MotivationCompany Fit

Preparation Tips

1Research Notion's recent news and product updates.
2Think about how your skills and experience can contribute to the team's success.
3Prepare thoughtful questions about the team, projects, and career growth opportunities.
4Express your enthusiasm for the role and the company.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of enthusiasm for the role or company
Unrealistic expectations
Poor fit with team dynamics
Failure to demonstrate leadership potential

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Notion

View all
Text JustificationHARDTime Based Key-Value StoreMEDIUM