Question 1

What are the main types of software engineer interview questions?

Accepted Answer

Software engineer interviews typically include four categories: data structures and algorithms (coding problems), system design (architecture and scalability), behavioral questions (teamwork, leadership, conflict), and role-specific questions (frontend, backend, DevOps, etc.). Most companies use a mix of all four, weighted by seniority level.

Question 2

How do FAANG interviews differ from startup interviews?

Accepted Answer

FAANG companies (Meta, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Google) use highly structured interview loops with 4-6 rounds, dedicated behavioral rounds, and standardized rubrics. Startups tend to be less structured, with fewer rounds, more emphasis on practical problem-solving, and often include take-home projects or pair programming sessions instead of whiteboard coding.

Question 3

How many LeetCode problems should I solve to prepare?

Accepted Answer

Quality matters more than quantity. Most successful candidates solve 100-200 problems across key patterns (arrays, trees, graphs, dynamic programming, etc.) rather than grinding thousands. Focus on understanding patterns and being able to explain your approach clearly, not just getting the right answer.

Question 4

Do senior engineers still get asked coding questions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the expectations differ. Senior and staff engineers are still asked coding questions at most companies, but interviewers focus more on code quality, edge case handling, testing strategy, and communication than on raw speed. System design and behavioral rounds carry more weight at senior levels.

Question 5

How important are behavioral questions in software engineering interviews?

Accepted Answer

Very important, especially at senior levels. Amazon dedicates an entire round to leadership principles. Google evaluates 'Googleyness' (collaboration and culture fit). Even at companies without formal behavioral rounds, soft skills are assessed throughout the process. Many technically strong candidates fail because of weak behavioral answers.

Question 6

What is a system design interview?

Accepted Answer

A system design interview asks you to architect a large-scale system (like designing Twitter, a URL shortener, or a payment system). You're evaluated on your ability to define requirements, choose appropriate technologies, handle scale, address failure modes, and make trade-offs. These rounds are standard for mid-level and senior engineers.

Question 7

How long should I prepare for a software engineering interview?

Accepted Answer

Most candidates need 4-8 weeks of focused preparation. This includes daily algorithm practice, system design study, behavioral story preparation, and mock interviews. If you're already solving medium-difficulty problems comfortably, 2-4 weeks may be enough. More time is needed if you're switching from a different field.

Question 8

Should I practice coding on a whiteboard or computer?

Accepted Answer

Practice both. Many companies now use online coding environments (CoderPad, HackerRank), but some still use whiteboard or Google Docs-style interviews. Practice writing code without autocomplete or syntax highlighting at least some of the time. Being comfortable in both formats gives you an advantage.

Software Engineer Interview Questions: The Complete Prep Guide