# Software Engineer
**Role:** Software Engineer · **Level:** L2
**Company:** [Wells Fargo](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/wells-fargo)
**Difficulty:** Medium
**Salary:** US$90000 - US$120000
**Experience:** 2 - 5
**Timeline:** ~14 days
This interview process is for a Software Engineer (L2) role at Wells Fargo. It is designed to assess technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the organization.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/wells-fargo/l2-software-engineer
---
## Overall evaluation

- Technical Skills
- Communication and Collaboration
- Behavioral and Cultural Fit

## Questions asked

- Write a function to reverse a linked list.
- Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
- Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
- Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder.
- How would you design a system to handle millions of concurrent users?
- What are the trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL databases?
- Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
- How do you stay updated with new technologies?
- Explain the concept of recursion with an example.
- Design an API for a simple e-commerce product catalog.

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Review fundamental computer science concepts, including data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert, focusing on medium-difficulty problems.
- Understand common software design patterns and principles (e.g., SOLID).
- Prepare for system design questions, focusing on scalability, reliability, and trade-offs.
- Research Wells Fargo's mission, values, and recent projects to tailor your answers.
- Prepare specific examples from your past experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions.
- Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely, even when you're unsure of the answer.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Data Structures and Algorithms Fundamentals","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash tables) and their common operations. Practice implementing them and solving problems related to their usage. Cover basic algorithms like sorting (quicksort, mergesort) and searching (binary search).","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Basic Algorithms. Practice implementations and basic problems."}
- {"title":"Advanced Algorithms and Problem Solving","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Dive deeper into algorithms, including dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra's), and string manipulation. Work on medium-difficulty problems that combine multiple concepts.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms. Focus on DP, Greedy, Graphs, Strings. Medium problems."}
- {"title":"System Design Introduction","longDescription":"Week 5: Begin studying system design concepts. Understand principles of scalability, availability, load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), and API design. Practice designing common systems like a URL shortener or a social media feed.","shortDescription":"Week 5: System Design Basics. Scalability, Caching, Databases, APIs. Practice common designs."}
- {"title":"Behavioral Interview Preparation","longDescription":"Week 6: Focus on behavioral questions. Prepare stories using the STAR method for common questions related to teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, and handling failure. Research Wells Fargo's values and align your experiences.","shortDescription":"Week 6: Behavioral Preparation. STAR method, Wells Fargo values. Practice common behavioral questions."}
- {"title":"Mock Interviews and Final Review","longDescription":"Week 7: Mock interviews. Practice coding problems under timed conditions and simulate the interview environment. Get feedback on your communication and problem-solving approach. Review any weak areas identified during practice.","shortDescription":"Week 7: Mock Interviews & Review. Timed coding, communication feedback. Address weak areas."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Remote","differences":{"tips":["Highlight your experience with asynchronous communication.","Be prepared to discuss your home office setup and internet reliability.","Showcase your ability to work independently and manage your time effectively."],"interviewFocus":["Remote collaboration skills","Adaptability to distributed work environments","Proficiency with remote development tools"],"commonQuestions":["Describe a challenging project you worked on in a remote setting.","How do you ensure effective communication with a distributed team?","What tools do you use for remote collaboration and version control?"]}}
- {"location":"New York City","differences":{"tips":["Provide specific examples of how you've successfully managed competing priorities.","Emphasize your resilience and ability to remain calm under pressure.","Showcase your proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks."],"interviewFocus":["Ability to handle pressure and tight deadlines","Adaptability and flexibility","Problem-solving in dynamic situations"],"commonQuestions":["Tell me about your experience working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.","How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple urgent requests?","Describe a time you had to adapt to a sudden change in project requirements."]}}

## Round 1: Data Structures and Algorithms
**Type:** Technical Interview (Coding) · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Solve 1-2 coding problems focusing on data structures and algorithms. Assess code quality, efficiency, and problem-solving.
This round focuses on your core technical skills. You will be asked to solve 1-2 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 problem-solving approach and communication skills. Be prepared to explain your thought process, discuss alternative solutions, and analyze the time and space complexity of your code.
**Interviewers look for:** Clean, well-structured code; Logical problem-solving approach; Understanding of time and space complexity; Ability to communicate technical ideas clearly
**Evaluation criteria:** Correctness of the solution; Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity); Code quality and readability; Ability to explain the approach and trade-offs
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to articulate thought process; Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms; Difficulty in debugging code; Lack of clarity in explanations
## Questions

- Given a binary tree, determine if it is a valid binary search tree.
- Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.
- Write a program to detect a cycle in a linked list.

## Preparation tips

- Practice coding problems on a whiteboard or a shared editor.
- Think out loud and explain your approach before you start coding.
- Test your code with edge cases.
- Be ready to discuss the time and space complexity of your solution.

## Round 2: System Design
**Type:** System Design Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 60 min
Design a scalable system. Focus on components, trade-offs, and justifications.
This round evaluates your ability to design scalable and robust software systems. You will be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, a Twitter feed, or a rate limiter) and asked to propose a solution. The focus is on understanding trade-offs, considering different components, and justifying your design choices. Expect to discuss databases, caching strategies, APIs, and potential bottlenecks.
**Interviewers look for:** Structured approach to system design; Knowledge of common design patterns; Consideration of various system components (databases, caching, load balancers); Ability to justify design decisions
**Evaluation criteria:** Understanding of scalability and performance; Knowledge of distributed systems concepts; Ability to design robust and reliable systems; Effective communication of design choices and trade-offs
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of understanding of system design principles; Inability to handle scale and performance considerations; Poor trade-off analysis; Not considering edge cases or failure scenarios
## Questions

- Design a URL shortening service like TinyURL.
- Design a system to count the top K trending items on Twitter.
- Design a distributed cache system.

## Preparation tips

- Familiarize yourself with common system design patterns.
- Practice designing systems for scale.
- Think about different components like databases, caches, load balancers, and message queues.
- Be prepared to discuss trade-offs for each design decision.

## Round 3: Behavioral and Managerial
**Type:** Behavioral Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Discuss past experiences using STAR method. Assess behavioral competencies and cultural fit.
This round focuses on your past experiences and how they align with the role and Wells Fargo's culture. You'll be asked behavioral questions that require you to provide specific examples using the STAR method. The interviewer wants to understand your strengths, weaknesses, how you handle challenges, and your motivation for joining Wells Fargo.
**Interviewers look for:** Honesty and integrity; Proactiveness and initiative; Ability to work collaboratively; Resilience and learning from mistakes
**Evaluation criteria:** Behavioral competencies (teamwork, leadership, problem-solving); Cultural fit with Wells Fargo; Communication clarity and conciseness; Self-awareness and reflection
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of self-awareness; Inability to provide specific examples; Negative attitude or blaming others; Poor alignment with company values; Weak communication skills
## Questions

- Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member.
- Describe a project where you took initiative.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why are you interested in Wells Fargo?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare specific examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions.
- Research Wells Fargo's values and mission.
- Be ready to discuss your career goals and why you are interested in this role.
- Be positive and enthusiastic.