This interview process is designed to assess candidates for the Software Engineering Manager (L2) role at Tekion. It evaluates technical leadership, people management skills, strategic thinking, and cultural fit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·5 - 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: Tekion's business, products, culture. Self-reflection on career.
Weeks 1-2: Deep dive into Tekion's business, products, and engineering culture. Understand the specific challenges and opportunities for an SEM at L2. Review your own career history and identify key achievements and learning experiences relevant to management.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: People management, feedback, conflict resolution, coaching.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on people management principles. Study topics like performance reviews, feedback delivery, conflict resolution, coaching, and team motivation. Prepare examples for behavioral questions related to these areas.
Phase 03 of 04
Weeks 5-6: SDLC, Agile, Project Management, Technical Decision Making.
Weeks 5-6: Refresh your understanding of software development lifecycle, agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban), project management, and technical debt. Prepare to discuss how you guide your team through technical challenges and decision-making.
Phase 04 of 04
Weeks 7-8: Strategic thinking, business alignment, prioritization, stakeholder management.
Weeks 7-8: Concentrate on strategic thinking and business acumen. Understand how engineering aligns with business goals. Practice articulating your vision for a team and how you would contribute to broader organizational objectives. Prepare for questions on prioritization and stakeholder management.
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 · HR Recruiter
This initial round is conducted by an HR representative to understand your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying to Tekion. It also serves to assess your communication skills and cultural fit. Be prepared to discuss your resume and why you are interested in this specific role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in Tekion?
Why are you looking to move into a management role?
What are your salary expectations?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical & People Management Interview · 60 min · Senior Engineering Manager or Director
This round focuses on your technical leadership and management skills. You'll be asked about your experience leading engineering teams, making technical decisions, and managing projects. Expect questions about your approach to technical challenges, team development, and fostering a high-performing engineering culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe your approach to setting technical direction for a team.
How do you balance the need for speed with the need for quality and technical excellence?
Tell me about a significant technical challenge your team faced and how you guided them through it.
How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within your team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial & Strategic Interview · 60 min · Director/VP of Engineering or Product
This interview focuses on your strategic thinking, business acumen, and ability to manage stakeholders. You'll discuss how you align engineering efforts with business goals, handle cross-functional collaboration, and make decisions in ambiguous situations. Prepare to share examples of your strategic impact and how you've driven results.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How do you ensure your team is aligned with the company's strategic goals?
Describe a time you had to manage competing priorities from different departments.
What is your approach to building and maintaining strong relationships with product management?
How would you scale an engineering team to meet growing business demands?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral & Team Fit Interview · 45 min · Peer Engineering Manager or Senior Engineer
This round is often a 'fit' interview, where you'll meet with a peer manager or senior engineer. The focus is on your behavioral competencies, how you handle challenging situations, your learning style, and how you collaborate within a team environment. Be prepared for situational and behavioral questions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
How do you handle disagreements with your peers?
Tell me about a time you had to influence someone without direct authority.
What are your preferred methods for staying up-to-date with technology trends?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Tekion loops
Other guides
