The Software Engineer L7 interview at Quora is a rigorous process designed to assess a candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, system design skills, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple rounds, including technical interviews, a system design interview, and behavioral interviews. The focus is on deep technical knowledge, ability to design scalable and robust systems, and alignment with Quora's values.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·6 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·195 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) - Core concepts and practice.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice coding these on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, focusing on time and space complexity. Aim for Medium to Hard difficulty problems.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: System Design - Scalability, databases, caching, load balancing.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into system design. Study common design patterns, database choices (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching strategies, load balancing, message queues, and distributed system principles. Work through case studies like designing Twitter's feed, a URL shortener, or a notification system.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Behavioral - STAR method, past experiences, Quora values.
Week 5: Prepare for behavioral interviews. Reflect on your career experiences, focusing on challenges, successes, failures, teamwork, and leadership. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Research Quora's values and prepare examples that align with them.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Mock Interviews - Practice and feedback.
Week 6: Mock interviews. Practice with peers or use online platforms to simulate the interview environment. Get feedback on your technical explanations, problem-solving approach, and communication. Review any areas where you felt weak during practice.
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.
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 45 min · Software Engineer (L5-L7)
This round focuses on your core computer science fundamentals. 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 a solution, write clean and efficient code, and analyze its complexity. Expect to discuss trade-offs and potential optimizations.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to find the median of a stream of numbers.
Find the longest substring without repeating characters.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This is a critical round where you'll be asked to design a system from scratch or improve an existing one. Topics can range from designing a social media feed, a URL shortener, a notification service, or a distributed key-value store. The focus is on your ability to think about scale, reliability, performance, and trade-offs. You'll need to justify your design choices and discuss potential bottlenecks and solutions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Twitter's timeline.
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
Design a distributed rate limiter.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Senior Team Member
This round assesses your behavioral competencies and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, focusing on how you've handled specific situations, worked in teams, dealt with challenges, and demonstrated leadership. The goal is to understand your working style, motivations, and how you align with Quora's culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult colleague.
How do you stay updated with new technologies?
Why are you interested in working at Quora?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial / Leadership Interview · 45 min · Engineering Manager / Director
This round is typically with the hiring manager or a senior leader. It's an opportunity for them to assess your overall fit for the team and the role, your leadership potential, and your understanding of the broader technical landscape. They may ask about your career aspirations, how you approach technical challenges at a higher level, and your vision for contributing to Quora's success.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What are your long-term career goals?
How would you approach leading a new project from conception to launch?
What are your thoughts on the current technical challenges facing Quora?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Quora loops
Other guides
