Workday

Software Engineer (SWE) I

Software EngineerP1Medium

The Software Engineer (SWE) I interview at Workday is designed to assess foundational technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for entry-level engineers. The process typically involves multiple rounds, including HR screening, technical interviews focusing on data structures and algorithms, and a behavioral/managerial interview.

Rounds

3

Timeline

~14 days

Experience

0 - 2 yrs

Salary Range

US$85000 - US$110000

Total Duration

120 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Problem-solving approach and logical thinking.
Data structures and algorithms knowledge.
Coding proficiency and best practices.
Communication and collaboration skills.
Cultural fit and alignment with Workday values.

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

Ability to articulate past experiences and learnings.
Demonstrated initiative and proactivity.
Teamwork and interpersonal skills.
Enthusiasm and motivation for the role and company.

Preparation Tips

1Review fundamental computer science concepts, including data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, graph traversal).
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or similar sites, focusing on medium-difficulty problems.
3Understand object-oriented programming (OOP) principles.
4Prepare to discuss your resume, highlighting relevant projects and internships.
5Research Workday's products, values, and culture.
6Prepare STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) answers for common behavioral questions.
7Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely.
8Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures and Algorithms Fundamentals

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Hash Maps) & Basic Algorithms (Sorting, Searching).

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs), and hash maps. Practice implementing them and understanding their time and space complexity. Cover basic algorithms like sorting (bubble sort, merge sort, quicksort) and searching (binary search).

2

Algorithm Practice and Behavioral Preparation

Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms (Graphs, DP, Greedy) & Behavioral Prep.

Weeks 3-4: Dive deeper into algorithms, including graph traversal (BFS, DFS), dynamic programming, and greedy algorithms. Practice problems related to these topics. Also, start preparing for behavioral questions using the STAR method and researching Workday.

3

System Design Introduction and Mock Interviews

Week 5: System Design Basics & Mock Interviews.

Week 5: Focus on system design fundamentals relevant to entry-level roles, such as understanding APIs, databases, and basic scalability concepts. Continue practicing coding problems and refining your STAR method answers. Conduct mock interviews if possible.

Commonly Asked Questions

Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in Workday?
Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.
Write a function to reverse a linked list.
Explain the time complexity of common sorting algorithms.
How would you design a URL shortener (high-level)?
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate and how you handled it.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Location-Based Differences

Austin, TX

Interview Focus

Adaptability to new technologies and team environments.Understanding of core computer science principles.Collaboration and communication skills.

Common Questions

Tell me about a challenging project you worked on during your internship.

How do you approach debugging a complex issue?

Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.

Tips

Highlight projects where you demonstrated learning agility.
Be prepared to discuss your thought process for problem-solving.
Emphasize teamwork and communication in your examples.

Pleasanton, CA

Interview Focus

Strong grasp of fundamental data structures and algorithms.Ability to write clean and efficient code.Problem-solving and analytical thinking.

Common Questions

Can you explain the concept of recursion with an example?

What are the differences between a list and a set in Python?

Describe a situation where you had to explain a technical concept to a non-technical person.

Tips

Review common data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs) and algorithms (sorting, searching).
Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
Prepare to walk through your code and explain your logic clearly.

Process Timeline

1
Data Structures and Algorithms Coding Challenge45m
2
Behavioral and Managerial Fit45m
3
Technical Discussion and System Design Concepts30m

Interview Rounds

3-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Data Structures and Algorithms Coding Challenge

Technical interview focusing on coding problems related to data structures and algorithms.

Technical Interview (Data Structures & Algorithms)Medium
45 minSoftware Engineer

This round is a technical interview focused on data structures and algorithms. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems. The interviewer will assess your ability to understand the problem, devise an efficient solution, implement it in code, and analyze its complexity. Be prepared to explain your approach and justify your choices.

What Interviewers Look For

A clear and structured approach to problem-solving.Correct implementation of data structures and algorithms.Understanding of time and space complexity.Ability to write clean, readable, and efficient code.Good communication of thought process.

Evaluation Criteria

Problem-solving skills
Data structures and algorithms knowledge
Coding ability
Logical thinking

Questions Asked

Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.

ArrayHash MapTwo Pointers

Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree (BST).

TreeRecursionBinary Search Tree

Find the kth smallest element in a Binary Search Tree.

TreeBSTInorder Traversal

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, focusing on arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, and graphs.
2Understand the time and space complexity of your solutions.
3Be ready to explain your code line by line.
4Think out loud and communicate your thought process to the interviewer.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process.
Lack of fundamental programming knowledge.
Poor problem-solving approach.
Inability to write working code.
2

Behavioral and Managerial Fit

Behavioral interview to assess soft skills, cultural fit, and motivation.

Behavioral And Managerial InterviewMedium
45 minHiring Manager or Senior Team Member

This round is a behavioral and situational interview, often conducted by the hiring manager. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle specific situations, and your motivations. The goal is to assess your soft skills, cultural fit, and potential for growth within Workday. Prepare examples using the STAR method.

What Interviewers Look For

Clear and concise communication.Ability to articulate past experiences using the STAR method.Demonstrated teamwork and collaboration.Alignment with Workday's values.Genuine interest in the role and company.

Evaluation Criteria

Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Problem-solving approach
Cultural fit
Motivation and career aspirations

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member.

BehavioralTeamworkConflict Resolution

Describe a project you are particularly proud of and your role in it.

BehavioralProject ExperienceOwnership

How do you stay updated with new technologies?

BehavioralLearningProactiveness

Preparation Tips

1Prepare examples for common behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
2Research Workday's mission, values, and culture.
3Be ready to discuss your career goals and why you are interested in this specific role.
4Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently.
5Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Poor communication skills.
Lack of enthusiasm or interest.
Inability to provide specific examples for behavioral questions.
Poor cultural fit.
Lack of clarity on career goals.
3

Technical Discussion and System Design Concepts

Discussion on technical concepts, past projects, or basic system design.

Technical/System Design DiscussionMedium
30 minSenior Software Engineer or Architect

This round might involve a discussion about your past projects in more detail, or a high-level system design question. The focus is on understanding your thought process when designing solutions, your awareness of trade-offs, and your ability to communicate technical ideas effectively. For an entry-level role, this might be a more conceptual discussion rather than a deep dive into complex system architecture.

What Interviewers Look For

Understanding of basic system design principles.Ability to discuss technical choices and trade-offs.Clear communication of technical concepts.Curiosity and willingness to learn.Alignment with the team's technical stack and practices.

Evaluation Criteria

Understanding of software development lifecycle
Ability to discuss technical trade-offs
Communication of technical ideas
Enthusiasm for learning and growth

Questions Asked

How would you design a simple API for a to-do list application?

System DesignAPI DesignREST

What are the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?

DatabaseSQLNoSQL

Walk me through a project you worked on during your studies or internship.

Project Deep DiveTechnical Discussion

Preparation Tips

1Review basic system design concepts (e.g., APIs, databases, client-server architecture).
2Be prepared to discuss your internship or project experiences in detail, focusing on technical challenges and decisions.
3Think about scalability, reliability, and maintainability in your design discussions.
4Practice explaining technical concepts clearly and concisely.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Unclear communication of technical concepts.
Inability to connect technical skills to business impact.
Lack of curiosity or engagement.
Poor alignment with team's technical direction.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Workday

View all
PermutationsMEDIUMGroup AnagramsMEDIUMMerge IntervalsMEDIUMLRU CacheMEDIUMCourse Schedule IIMEDIUMSerialize and Deserialize Binary TreeHARDReaching PointsHARDConvert Binary Number in a Linked List to IntegerEASY