The interview process for a Software Engineer (L3) at SmartNews 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 screening and progressing to more in-depth technical and behavioral assessments.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~7d
Experience·1 - 3 yrs
Comp band·US$90000 - US$120000
Interview time·195 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 03 phases
01 / 03Phase 01 of 03
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice 20-30 problems.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your preferred language and analyze their time and space complexity. Solve at least 20-30 problems covering these topics.
Phase 02 of 03
Week 3: System Design basics. Study scalability, availability, and common patterns.
Week 3: Deep dive into system design concepts. Understand principles of scalability, availability, reliability, and common design patterns (e.g., load balancing, caching, database sharding). Study common system design interview questions and practice designing systems like a URL shortener or a social media feed.
Phase 03 of 03
Week 4: Behavioral questions (STAR method) and company research. Prepare questions.
Week 4: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions. Reflect on your past experiences and prepare specific examples using the STAR method. Research SmartNews's company culture and values to align your answers. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
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.
HR Screening · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial round is conducted by an HR representative or recruiter to assess your overall fit for the role and the company. They will review your resume, ask about your career goals, and gauge your interest in SmartNews. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company culture and the specific role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in SmartNews?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
What are your salary expectations?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview (Coding) · 60 min · Software Engineer
This round focuses on your core technical skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your ability to write clean, efficient, and correct code, as well as your approach to problem-solving and your ability to explain your thought process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.
Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree.
Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round assesses your ability to design and architect software systems. You'll be given a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, a Twitter feed, or a rate limiter) and expected to discuss various aspects of the design, including data models, APIs, scalability, and trade-offs. This is crucial for understanding how you approach building real-world applications.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like TinyURL.
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website.
How would you design a real-time notification system?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral And Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead
This round, often conducted by the hiring manager or a team lead, focuses on your behavioral and soft skills. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, work in a team, and your motivations. The goal is to understand how you operate within a team and if you align with SmartNews's culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.
Describe a project where you had to work under a tight deadline. How did you manage?
What motivates you in a work environment?
How do you handle constructive criticism?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on smartnews loops
Other guides
