# L3
**Role:** Software Engineer · **Level:** Associate Software Engineer
**Company:** [Visa](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/visa)
**Difficulty:** Medium
**Salary:** US$75000 - US$95000
**Experience:** 0 - 2
**Timeline:** ~14 days
This interview process is for an Associate Software Engineer (L3) position at Visa. It is designed to assess a candidate's foundational knowledge in computer science, problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, and cultural fit within the company.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/visa/associate-software-engineer-software-engineer
---
## Overall evaluation

- Technical Skills
- Behavioral and Cultural Fit
- Foundational Knowledge

## Questions 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 time you faced a technical challenge and how you overcame it.
- How would you design a URL shortening service?
- What are the principles of SOLID design?
- Tell me about a project you are particularly proud of.
- How do you handle code reviews?
- What is polymorphism?
- Explain Big O notation.

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion).
- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or similar.
- Understand Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts and design patterns.
- Brush up on your knowledge of a primary programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C++).
- Prepare for behavioral questions by thinking about specific examples from your past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Research Visa's mission, values, and recent projects.
- Understand the basics of software development lifecycle and version control systems like Git.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Data Structures and Algorithms Fundamentals","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice implementing them and solving problems involving their efficient use. Cover basic sorting and searching algorithms.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Maps) & Basic Algorithms (Sorting, Searching)."}
- {"title":"Advanced Data Structures and Algorithms","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Dive into more complex data structures such as trees (binary trees, BSTs, AVL trees) and graphs. Learn graph traversal algorithms (BFS, DFS) and common graph problems. Introduce dynamic programming and recursion.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Advanced Data Structures (Trees, Graphs) & Algorithms (DP, Recursion)."}
- {"title":"Object-Oriented Programming and Language Proficiency","longDescription":"Week 5: Solidify your understanding of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction) and common design patterns. Review the syntax and standard libraries of your chosen programming language.","shortDescription":"Week 5: OOP Concepts and Design Patterns."}
- {"title":"Behavioral and Company Preparation","longDescription":"Week 6: Prepare for behavioral interviews. Identify key projects and experiences, and structure your answers using the STAR method. Research Visa's company culture, values, and recent news. Practice explaining technical concepts clearly.","shortDescription":"Week 6: Behavioral Preparation and Company Research."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Austin, TX","differences":{"tips":["Research Visa's presence and projects in this specific region.","Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the local tech ecosystem.","Practice articulating your thoughts clearly in the primary language of the office."],"interviewFocus":["Adaptability to local work culture.","Understanding of local market trends.","Communication skills in the local language."],"commonQuestions":["Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.","How do you handle tight deadlines?","Describe a time you disagreed with a teammate. How did you resolve it?"]}}
- {"location":"Remote","differences":{"tips":["Highlight experiences working in diverse or remote teams.","Be ready to discuss how you stay updated with technology trends.","Showcase your ability to work independently and as part of a larger, distributed team."],"interviewFocus":["Collaboration within a global team structure.","Understanding of distributed systems and remote work best practices.","Proactiveness in seeking feedback and learning."],"commonQuestions":["How do you approach learning new technologies?","Describe a situation where you had to explain a complex technical concept to a non-technical person.","What are your career aspirations?"]}}

## Round 1: Coding and Algorithms Assessment
**Type:** Technical Interview (Coding) · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Coding challenge focused on data structures and algorithms.
This round focuses on assessing your core technical skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your approach to problem-solving, your ability to write clean and efficient code, and your understanding of computational complexity. You'll be expected to articulate your thought process throughout the problem-solving session.
**Interviewers look for:** Logical thinking; Problem-solving approach; Coding proficiency; Understanding of time and space complexity; Ability to communicate technical ideas
**Evaluation criteria:** Correctness of the solution; Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity); Code clarity and organization; Ability to explain the thought process; Handling of edge cases
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to solve coding problems efficiently.; Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.; Code that is not clean, readable, or maintainable.; Failure to consider edge cases or optimize solutions.
## Questions

- Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
- Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.

## Preparation tips

- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, focusing on medium-difficulty questions.
- Understand the time and space complexity of your solutions.
- Be prepared to explain your code line by line.
- Practice thinking out loud and communicating your approach clearly.

## Round 2: Behavioral and Situational Assessment
**Type:** Behavioral Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Assesses behavioral competencies and cultural fit.
This round focuses on your behavioral and situational responses. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, work in teams, and your motivations. The goal is to understand your personality, work ethic, and how well you align with Visa's culture and values. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is highly recommended for structuring your answers.
**Interviewers look for:** Past behavior as an indicator of future performance; Self-awareness; Ability to work with others; Passion for technology and Visa; Resilience and adaptability
**Evaluation criteria:** Communication skills; Teamwork and collaboration abilities; Problem-solving approach in real-world scenarios; Motivation and career goals; Cultural alignment with Visa's values
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clarity in explaining past experiences.; Inability to provide specific examples.; Appearing unenthusiastic or not a good cultural fit.; Dishonesty or inconsistency in responses.
## Questions

- Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult teammate. How did you handle it?
- Describe a project where you faced a significant technical obstacle. What was it, and how did you overcome it?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare specific examples for common behavioral questions (e.g., teamwork, conflict resolution, overcoming challenges).
- Use the STAR method to structure your answers.
- Research Visa's company values and culture.
- Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and why you are interested in Visa.