Amazon SDE2 interview experience [USA]
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Amazon SDE2 Interview Experience [USA]
Hi everyone, I recently went through the Amazon SDE-2 interview process, and I wanted to share my experience here. I hope this helps someone preparing for their interviews!
Timeline
- Technical Screening: Nov 7
- Interviews Scheduled: Dec 12 and Dec 13 (I opted for split days for better focus).
Interview Rounds
Round 1: Low-Level Design (LLD)
In my first round, I was tasked with building a basic calculator. The focus here was on creating a design that emphasizes extensibility, allowing for easy addition of new features in the future. The interviewer emphasized the importance of clean design principles, modularity, and scalability.
Preparation Tips:
- Familiarize yourself with core design principles such as SOLID.
- Review design patterns that could apply to your solution.
Round 2: High-Level Design (HLD)
This round was intense! I was asked to design an Amazon Ads Server system. We discussed various components, scalability, and how to handle large amounts of data. The discussion lasted about 1 hour and 25 minutes, and it could have gone longer, but I had to pause the session due to my laptop battery dying. This round felt pivotal, and I left feeling optimistic about my chances.
Common Questions to Expect:
- How would you handle traffic spikes?
- What database would you use and why?
Round 3: Data Structure Problem
In this round, I was asked to build a tree-like data structure to represent human relationships. The wording of the problem was slightly ambiguous, which initially threw me off. However, after clarifying my doubts, I was able to arrive at a solution that satisfied the interviewer.
Key Takeaway:
- Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions. It’s better to fully understand the problem before diving into a solution.
Round 4: Bar Raiser
This was the most unique and unexpected round. It began with a discussion about a recent project I worked on, focusing on areas for improvement. This conversation lasted about 35 minutes and was followed by a coding question where I had to write logic for a library to calculate API response times and show the average response times. I felt confident in this round as well.
Understanding the Bar Raiser:
- A bar raiser is typically an interviewer who has been trained to maintain Amazon’s high hiring standards. They assess not only technical skills but also cultural fit and alignment with Amazon’s leadership principles.
Preparation Strategy
For coding, I recommend consistently solving Amazon-tagged questions on LeetCode. This has proven to be sufficient for technical preparation.
Resources for System Design
- I watched videos by creators such as Jordan Has No Life, Gaurav Sen, Concept & Coding, and Hello Interview. I dedicated considerable time to system design in anticipation of it being a critical round along with the bar raiser.
Emphasizing Leadership Principles
It’s crucial to weave Amazon’s leadership principles into your discussions, especially when discussing your past work experiences. Ensure your stories reflect the depth of your experience, sounding more like someone with 4-6 years of experience rather than a junior engineer.
Final Thoughts: If you’re preparing for a similar interview, be ready for anything. Make sure you can articulate your past work in detail, and don’t forget to charge your laptop!
Good luck!
Top Comments and Discussion
Several readers have expressed interest in understanding specific aspects of the interview process. Here are some common questions and answers:
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What is the Amazon Ads Server? The Amazon Ads Server is a system that handles the serving of ads on Amazon’s platform. It needs to be highly scalable to manage thousands of ad requests per second, and designs should consider data storage, caching, and real-time analytics.
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What was the outcome of your interviews? While I can’t disclose specifics, the experience was enlightening and I felt I performed well across all rounds.
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Did you design and code for LLD? The focus for the LLD was primarily on design. Coding may come into play depending on the specifics of the problem, but the interviewer is usually more interested in your design thought process.
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How did you prepare for LLD and HLD? I focused heavily on system design principles and practiced with mock interviews. Engaging in discussions with peers also helped solidify my understanding.
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Is this your second attempt at Amazon? Yes, this was my second time interviewing for an SDE-2 role, and I had previous experience at a top-tier company. My background definitely played a role in my preparation.
Thank you for reading, and I hope my experience sheds light on what to expect during the Amazon interview process. If you have any more questions