Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerSoftware Engineer 1Medium

This interview process is for a Software Engineer 1 position at Okta, focusing on foundational software engineering skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.

Rounds·4

Timeline·~7d

Experience·0 - 2 yrs

Comp band·US$90000 - US$120000

Interview time·210 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Data structure knowledge
  • Coding proficiency
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Cultural fit

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures and algorithms.
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
  3. Understand core computer science concepts (OS, networking, databases).
  4. Prepare to discuss your past projects and experiences in detail.
  5. Research Okta's products, mission, and values.
  6. Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  7. Familiarize yourself with common system design principles.
  8. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms 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, recursion). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Understand time and space complexity analysis.

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 a process and a thread.
  • Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder.
  • How would you design a URL shortening service?
  • What are the principles of RESTful API design?
  • Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
  • How do you stay updated with new technologies?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

San Francisco

Interview focus

Adaptability to new technologiesTeamwork and collaborationProblem-solving in a fast-paced environment

Common questions

  • Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.
  • How do you handle conflicting priorities?
  • Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.

Tips

  • Highlight projects where you demonstrated initiative.
  • Be prepared to discuss your learning process.
  • Emphasize your ability to work effectively in a team.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

Easy

Recruiter Screen · 45 min · Recruiter/HR

This initial round is conducted by an HR representative or recruiter to assess your general qualifications, interest in Okta, and cultural fit. They will ask about your background, career goals, and motivation for applying. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about Okta and the role.

What they look for

Ability to write syntactically correct code.Logical thinking.Clear explanation of their approach.

Evaluation

  • Basic coding ability
  • Understanding of data structures
  • Problem-solving approach

Sample questions

  • Tell me about yourself.

    Behavioral

  • Why are you interested in Okta?

    BehavioralMotivation

  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?

    Behavioral

Prep for this round

  1. 01Be prepared to talk about your resume.
  2. 02Research Okta's mission and values.
  3. 03Practice answering common behavioral questions.
  4. 04Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role and company.

Common rejection reasons

  • ×Inability to solve basic coding problems.
  • ×Poor understanding of fundamental data structures.
  • ×Lack of clear communication.
  • ×Negative attitude or poor cultural fit.

DSA

Coding questions at Okta.

Frequently reported on Okta loops

View all at Okta

Other guides

More at Okta.