This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Senior MTS (Member of Technical Staff) role at ThoughtSpot. It evaluates technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, system design capabilities, and cultural fit.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~7d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$140000 - US$180000
Interview time·150 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (Arrays, Strings, Lists, Trees, HashMaps). Complexity Analysis. 2-3 problems/day.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures and algorithms. Practice problems related to arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, and hash maps. Understand time and space complexity analysis. Aim for 2-3 coding problems per day.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms (Graphs, DP, Sorting/Searching). System Design Basics (Load Balancing, Caching).
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into advanced algorithms like graphs, dynamic programming, and sorting/searching algorithms. Practice problems that require combining multiple concepts. Start exploring basic system design concepts like load balancing and caching.
Phase 03 of 04
Weeks 5-6: System Design (Scalability, Availability, Databases, APIs). Behavioral Prep (STAR Method).
Weeks 5-6: Focus heavily on system design. Study common patterns for building scalable and reliable systems. Practice designing systems like Twitter feed, URL shortener, or a distributed key-value store. Also, prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on past experiences.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 7: Mock Interviews. Review Weak Areas. Product/Business Research. Behavioral Refinement.
Week 7: Mock interviews, both technical and behavioral. Review weak areas identified during practice. Refine your understanding of ThoughtSpot's business and products. Ensure you have clear examples for common behavioral questions.
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.
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 45 min · Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer
This round focuses on your core programming 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 understand the problem, devise an efficient solution, and implement it correctly in code. They will also evaluate your thought process, communication during problem-solving, and how you handle edge cases and constraints.
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 reverse a linked list.
Find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round evaluates your ability to design large-scale, distributed systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design Twitter's news feed, a URL shortener, or a distributed cache) and expected to propose a system architecture. The interviewer will probe into your design choices, scalability considerations, data storage, API design, and how you would handle potential failures and bottlenecks.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website in real-time.
How would you design a distributed message queue?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Engineering Manager / Director
This round focuses on your behavioral aspects and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle specific situations (e.g., conflict resolution, dealing with failure, leadership), and your motivations. The goal is to understand how you work in a team, your problem-solving approach in non-technical contexts, and whether you align with ThoughtSpot's values.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you faced a significant technical challenge and how you overcame it.
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why are you interested in ThoughtSpot?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on thoughtspot loops
Other guides
