This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineering Manager (L2) position at Notion. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit within Notion's collaborative and fast-paced environment.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$170000 - US$220000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Notion's culture, values, product. Career history review.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Notion's company culture, values, and product. Understand their engineering principles and recent technical challenges. Review your own career history and identify key achievements and learning experiences relevant to management.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: People management (performance, coaching, conflict, hiring). STAR examples.
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into people management best practices. Study topics like performance reviews, coaching, conflict resolution, hiring, and team building. Prepare STAR method examples for each of these areas.
Phase 03 of 04
Weeks 5-6: System design, architecture, technical decision-making. Roadmap planning.
Weeks 5-6: Refresh your knowledge of system design and architecture. Practice explaining complex technical concepts and trade-offs. Think about how you would lead a team through technical decision-making and roadmap planning.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 7: Mock interviews, feedback, question preparation.
Week 7: Conduct mock interviews focusing on behavioral questions, situational judgment, and system design discussions. Seek feedback and refine your answers. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers.
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.
Recruiter Screen · 45 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with a recruiter aims to assess your overall fit for the role and Notion. They will discuss your background, motivations for applying, and high-level expectations for the position. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company and the interview process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Why are you interested in a Software Engineering Manager role at Notion?
Can you walk me through your management experience and key accomplishments?
What are your salary expectations?
What are you looking for in your next role?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical & System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round focuses on your technical expertise and system design capabilities. You'll be asked to discuss architectural choices, trade-offs, and how you would guide a team through complex technical challenges. Expect questions related to scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system for [e.g., a real-time collaboration tool, a notification service, a document storage system]. Discuss scalability, reliability, and potential bottlenecks.
How would you approach migrating a monolithic application to a microservices architecture?
Describe a complex technical problem you solved. What was your approach?
How do you ensure code quality and manage technical debt within a team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
People Management & Leadership Interview · 60 min · Director of Engineering / Senior Engineering Manager
This interview focuses on your people management and leadership skills. You'll be asked behavioral questions about how you've managed teams, handled conflicts, motivated engineers, and driven projects to success. Expect scenarios related to hiring, performance management, and team development.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to manage a conflict within your team. What was the situation and how did you resolve it?
Describe your process for setting performance goals and providing feedback to your team members.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
Walk me through your experience hiring engineers. What do you look for, and how do you assess candidates?
How do you prioritize work for your team when faced with competing demands?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Hiring Manager Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager (Director/VP Level)
This final interview with the hiring manager (likely a Director or VP) assesses your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to align your team's work with broader company objectives. You'll discuss your vision for the team, how you collaborate with product and other departments, and your approach to driving impact.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What is your vision for an engineering team at Notion, and how would you align it with our product roadmap?
Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders from other departments (e.g., Product, Marketing) to achieve a common goal.
How do you stay updated on industry trends and incorporate them into your team's strategy?
What are the key metrics you use to measure the success of your team and its projects?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Notion loops
Other guides
